Warmer, More Acidic Oceans Will Kill Coral Reefs
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Nearly half of the U.S. coral reef ecosystems are considered to be in "poor" or "fair" condition according to a new analysis of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. The report was presented during the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this week. Producer Zulima Palacio looks into the new report on the eve of the International Year of the Reef 2008. Jim Bertel narrates the story.
Scientists often call beautiful and healthy coral reefs like this one the largest living structures on earth. However, they are being replaced by this: bleached, diseased and dead coral.
Mark Eakin is the coordinator of Coral Reef Watch for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, called NOAA.
He says three years ago a rise in sea temperatures in the area of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean killed about half of the remaining coral. "The level of thermal stress, the heating that caused that bleaching in 2005, was greater that the previous 20 years of satellite record combined," Eakin said.
Scientists often call beautiful and healthy coral reefs like this one the largest living structures on earth. However, they are being replaced by this: bleached, diseased and dead coral.
Mark Eakin is the coordinator of Coral Reef Watch for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, called NOAA.
He says three years ago a rise in sea temperatures in the area of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean killed about half of the remaining coral. "The level of thermal stress, the heating that caused that bleaching in 2005, was greater that the previous 20 years of satellite record combined," Eakin said.
