Bringing Back the Reefs

Sun, 01/09/2011 - 21:03 — erik

One of the unfortunate "Poster Boys" for climate chaos has been coral bleaching, the worldwide die-off or coral reefs, and attendant loss of biodiversity, fisheries, and livelihoods.
Bleaching occurs when stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae. Several factors can cause bleaching, but, according to Mark Eakin, coordinator of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coral Reef Watch, the only thing that could cause mass bleaching on this geographical scale is high temperatures maintained over a period of months. "There is some evidence that local factors and other climate-scale factors, such as ocean acidification, sea-level rise and changes in storm intensity, may influence bleaching sensitivity," he says. "But temperature is the big driver." (See Nature 19 November 2010, Coral bleaching goes from bad to worse )

Now under intense and unrelenting stress from environmental changes, those reefs retaining any semblance of their former health and diversity are perversely becoming victims of their own survival as underwater tourists concentrate around them. (I actually wrote about a related issue back in the days before blogs: western conservation strategies which create parks and reserves as islands of wildness --- and thus magnets for Nature-starved millions who essentially "pet them to death").

Like many of the other positive stories ignored by mainstream media, the combined focus of artists, biologists and business (tourism in this case) can come up with some effective responses. We should all take heart, because rather than leaving the case of the corals to advocacy and pressure groups, others have begun to (literally) jump in and get to work with reconstruction and restoration. Not surprisingly, these include gardeners.

The Corals for Conservation program was first initiated in 1999 in Fiji, as ”The Coral Gardens Initiative”. The program focuses at restoring degraded coral reef ecosystems by working in partnership with marine resource owners to develop community-based marine management plans and to implement strategies to rectify problems such as over-fishing and coral reef decline.The program started in Fiji under the name “The Coral Gardens-Living Reefs Initiative”. In 2008 work was ongoing in five district level sites. The work has been extended to Samoa and the Caribbean using donor funding. New countries and sites within a country can be added, as long as there is strong local support and donor funds can be found.

See what I mean? Twelve years in operation and largely ignored by the media. And this is NEWS!

It gets better....

Like the work of Rachel Armstrong with metabolic materials and limestone formation (but much earlier), the process of Electrodeposition of Minerals in Sea Water known as Mineral Accretion Technology was developed by Architect, Marine Scientist, Prof. Wolf H. Hilbertz. Through extensive experimental applications, demonstration projects commenced in 1974, covering artificial reefs, coastal defense structures, shoreline stabilization - erosion control, mariculture, and marine construction.Although initially developed for structural applications, exceptional accumulations and growth rates of marine organisms on accreting structures were observed. The process was further developed as Biorock, where electric currents running through purpose-built steel frameworks speed up the rate of recolonization several fold.

Prof. Hibertz and Biorock have made impressive and in my opinion, phenomenally encouraging work in Bali, where the combination of local fisheries and tourism have started to recover from what seemed an inevitable collapse as the reefs were dying a relatively short while ago. His project is by no means secure, nor are the reefs and the communities which depend upon their health, but he has developed and demonstrated a vital and straightforward technology for restoration of some of Earth's most important habitats. Biorock deserves far more attention and support, and it needs to go mainstream now.

Still other, and obvious/inspiring coral recovery linked to tourism is a joint Jordanian - Israeli venture (already notable just at that) to establish new artificial reef bases in the Gulf of Aqaba, which lies at the northern end of the Red Sea and is bordered by both Israel and Jordan as well as Egypt and Saudia Arabia farther south. A 1994 peace deal between Israel and Jordan mandated that the two countries work together on combating marine pollution, natural resources issues, and coastal reef protection in the gulf.

Photograph courtesy Eran Brokovich, National Geographic News

These reefs draw tourists from around the world to the neighboring resort cities of Elat, Israel, and Al 'Aqabah, Jordan. And as elsewhere, more tourism and less reef creates a perfect formula for "suffocation via love". The artificial reefs are part of a response which will provide divers more places to visit, and eventually will support new coral growth and and extension of the natural reef system. (See more : National Geographic News, September 25, 2007)

I have saved the best for last. In a lyric fusion of art and conservation, more than 400 permanent sculptures have been installed in recent months in the National Marine Park of Cancún, Isla Mujeres, and Punta Nizuc as part of a major artwork called "The Silent Evolution." The installation is the first endeavor of a new underwater museum called MUSA, or Museo Subacuático de Arte.

The statues are made from a special marine-grade concrete which is not only stable in salt water, but which provides a chemically friendly foothold for colonization by algae, molluscs and corals. Created by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, the Caribbean installation is intended to eventually cover more than 4,520 square feet (420 square meters), which would make it "one of the largest and most ambitious underwater attractions in the world," achieve some relief from the approximately 750,000 tourists who visit local reefs each year. "Part of this project is to actually discharge those people away from the natural reefs and bring them to an area of artificial reefs."

erik's blog

Comments

Sat, 05/18/2013 - 10:35 — Guest

Really i am impressed from

Really i am impressed from this post. the person who created this post is a genius and knows how to keep the readers connected. thanks for sharing this with us. BestCustomWriting facebook

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 20:02 — Guest

Is it my on-line browser or

Is it my on-line browser or the website, but I can only see a fraction of the post. How should I correct this?

Sun, 05/05/2013 - 17:40 — Guest

This is a great inspiring

This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really helpful information. Keep it up. greek to me fonts

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 09:44 — Guest

Really I impressed from this

Really I impressed from this post. Post is a genius and knows how to keep the readers connected. thanks for sharing this with us and college essays

Fri, 04/05/2013 - 22:07 — Guest

I got really impressed

I got really impressed after reading this because of some quality work and informative thoughts that you share with us. I just wanna be grateful and say thanks for having this special webpage. digitaleoptionen.tumblr.com

Wed, 03/20/2013 - 15:48 — Guest

we should all contribute to

we should all contribute to keeping coral reefs in order to keep growing, and keep the continuity of the marine ecosystem

ESER Unlimited Power Bank | Jadwal Motogp 2013 | Roby Wakas | Blogzalu

Wed, 03/06/2013 - 17:25 — Guest

I have been looking around

I have been looking around the internet for something of relevance to me and my whole family, now this information has caught my attention, and will be sharing this web site with them.

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 06:45 — Guest

ahappydeal.com review says

ahappydeal.com review says it conducted research and took feedback on board from consumers which suggested that water resistance is a requested feature in a smartphone.

Thu, 02/28/2013 - 13:19 — Guest

????? ??

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 08:19 — Guest

c'est marant ces figurines,

c'est marant ces figurines, il faudra les stocker dans une armoire forte pour être certain de ne pas se les faire voler

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 08:18 — Guest

Je fais moi même de la

Je fais moi même de la plongée et je dois dire que le spectable de certains coraux est désolant on a même trouvé un coffre ignifuge vide hélas

Mon, 01/28/2013 - 04:22 — Guest

This is just an awesome part

This is just an awesome part of working when you have every equipment but nothing to say.Purchase Research Paper

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 04:12 — Guest

Normal 0

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

I have been meaning to write something like this on my website and you have given me an idea. Cheers.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

does hydroxycut work

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 07:11 — Guest

I did like your article,

I did like your article, thanks for sharing it. I will bookmark it and come back later kids watches

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 09:08 — Guest

< <a href="http://stivali

<a href="http://stivaliscarpeprezzi-it.info/">ugg italia</a> <a href="http://stivaliscarpeprezzi-it.info/">stivali ugg</a> <a href="http://stivaliscarpeprezzi-it.info/">ugg stivali</a>

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 05:52 — Guest

I am very much overwhelmed

I am very much overwhelmed by your thoughts for this particular story. A more deeper and staged knowledge would be good for me Lipozene Reviews

Thu, 12/27/2012 - 09:48 — Guest

< <a href="http://isabelm

<a href="http://isabelmarantussneakers.info/">isabel marant sneakers</a> <a href="http://isabelmarantussneakers.info/">isabel marant boots</a> <a href="http://isabelmarantussneakers.info/">isabel marant dicker boots</a> <a href="http://isabelmarantussneakers.info/">isabel marant shoes</a> <a href="http://isabelmarantussneakers.info/">isabel marant dicker</a> <a href="http://isabelmarantussneakers.info/">isabel marant wedge sneakers</a>

Thu, 12/27/2012 - 07:24 — Guest

< <a href="http://www.ins

<a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/insanity-asylum-p-5.html">insanity workout online</a> <a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/shaun-ts-insanity-workout-deluxe-package-13dvd-p-1.html">insanity workout dvds</a> <a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/p90x2-ultimate-p-3.html">shaun t insanity</a> <a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/turbo-fire-workout-11-dvds-p-4.html">insanity workout dvd</a>

Thu, 12/27/2012 - 06:48 — Guest

insanity workout shaun t

insanity workout shaun t insanity insanity work out insanity workouts insanity dvd insanity workout online insanity shaun t insanity dvds

Thu, 12/27/2012 - 06:47 — Guest

<a

<a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/">insanity workout</a>
<a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/">shaun t insanity</a>
<a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/">insanity work out</a>
<a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/">insanity workouts</a>
<a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/">insanity dvd</a>
<a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/">insanity workout online</a>
<a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/">insanity shaun t</a>
<a href="http://www.insanityworkout-sale.info/">insanity dvds</a>

Sat, 12/22/2012 - 10:35 — Guest

Hey that was great to

Hey that was great to read. Thanks for the great post .Loved every part of it.Raspberry Ketone Reviews

Thu, 12/06/2012 - 06:44 — Guest

Abruptly,opl22ke a lot of

Abruptly,opl22ke a lot of on-line Ugg Boots recommends aren't getting a great deal possessing Uggs On Sale Marketing methods and a lot of now take over demand also starting. The reason why http://www.lowercostugg.com/ therefore carefully for a number of? You may Ugg Boots option to get better at with this almost difficulties?

Thu, 12/06/2012 - 06:43 — Guest

As well as helping you to

As well as helping you to complete Ugg Boots website traffic,opl22ke your individual Advertising undertakings are perfect for uggs sale business creating what's more. Having said that, you'll find however significantly trouble these kinds of beginner Ugg Boots information about assessment towards the Ugg Boots Selling.

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 06:10 — Guest

Normal 0

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Index

Thu, 11/29/2012 - 05:23 — Guest

Normal 0

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Thanks for taking this opportunity to discuss this, I appreciate with this and if you have some more information please share it with me. http://www.genesishealthinstitute.com/testosterone.php

Tue, 11/27/2012 - 09:39 — Guest

Normal 0

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

The first time I came here, less than 10 seconds the display is perfectly open, and the loading is completed less than 20 seconds and to open the article only took about 7 seconds. So I think this is very fast! Incredible! Trying to maintain!

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Lipozene

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 18:20 — Guest

If you haven't heard of wall

If you haven't heard of wall stickers you're not alone, but they're fast becoming a popular solution for giving any room that WOW factor. That's why we started this business and why we love our product so much. väggdekor

Mon, 11/26/2012 - 17:35 — Guest

A reef ready or simply

A reef ready or simply drilled tank is often used. This style of tank has holes drilled into the rear pane allowing water to drain into the sump or refugium. These drains are usually housed in an internal overflow apparatus made of plastic or glass which encloses a drain standpipe and a water return line.

Oakville Landscapers

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Wed, 11/21/2012 - 14:52 — Guest

Post new comment

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.

— William Arthur Ward

sustainability strategies & design

Sustainability Partnerships with Nature

login
register

TEPUI

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

Bringing Back the Reefs

Comments

Really i am impressed from

Is it my on-line browser or

This is a great inspiring

Really I impressed from this

I got really impressed

we should all contribute to

I have been looking around

ahappydeal.com review says

????? ??

c'est marant ces figurines,

Je fais moi même de la

This is just an awesome part

Normal 0

I did like your article,

< <a href="http://stivali

I am very much overwhelmed

< <a href="http://isabelm

< <a href="http://www.ins

insanity workout shaun t

<a

Hey that was great to

Abruptly,opl22ke a lot of

As well as helping you to

Normal 0

Normal 0

Normal 0

If you haven't heard of wall

A reef ready or simply

I like the cut of your job

I really love to see all the

It's actually a great and

Favorite post having such an

Post new comment

sustainability strategies & design

Sustainability Partnerships with Nature

login
register

Bringing Back the Reefs

Comments

Post new comment

Sustainability Partnerships with Nature loginregister

Sustainability Partnerships with Nature

login
register