NOAA/NSTA Web Seminar: Coral Ecosystems: Land-based Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs

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1 LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP NOAA/NSTA Web Seminar: Coral Ecosystems: Land-based Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs Thursday, May 8, 2008

2 Land-based Pollution Threats to Coral Reefs Presented by Kathy Chaston Coral & Coastal Management Specialist NOAA s National Ocean Service Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management

3 Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs Land-based pollution impacts Management actions Teaching resources

4 Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs Land-based pollution impacts Management actions Teaching resources

5 What is coral? Plant Animal Both?

6 Coral is as an animal with an algal symbiont Source: NOAA

Reef building corals require: Warm water: 75 85 Fahrenheit

7 Reef building corals require: Warm water: Fahrenheit degrees Light: Shallow and sediment free waters Salinity: ppt PCS

8 Coral reef distribution Source:

9 Let s pause for 2 questions

10 Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs Known effects of landbased pollution Management actions Teaching resources

11 Coral reefs are valuable Biodiversity Fisheries Shoreline protection Pharmaceuticals Tourism Education Culture Social values

12 Coral reefs: rainforests of the sea How many species of fish live on reefs? A. 40 B. 400 C PCS

13 Coral reefs protect the shore-line

14 Reefs are important economically Hawaii: Net benefits = $360 million year Overall asset value MHI = $10 billion Study by: Cesar & van Beukering 2004

15 Many threats to Coral Reefs Key threats to US reefs: Over-fishing Land-based sources of pollution Recreational overuse/misuse Lack of public awareness Climate change & coral bleaching Disease

16 Let s pause for 2 questions

17 Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs Land-based pollution impacts Management actions Teaching resources

18 Land and sea are connected

19 Photo s courtesy of Malama Maunalua

20 Many sources of land-based pollution

21 Runoff threatens coral reefs globally Models estimate that 22% of all coral reefs world-wide are at high or medium threat from inland pollution and soil erosion. (Bryant et al. 1998). USGS

22 Runoff impacts growth & survival of hard coral colonies Bill Walsh DAR

23 Any idea s how runoff impacts Two volunteers? coral growth and survival? 1. 2.

24 Sediments reduce light and decrease coral growth

25 Sediments smother coral & sloughing wastes energy Photo s courtesy of Bill Walsh

26 Runoff effects coral reproduction & recruitment Coral settlement rates are near zero on sediment covered surfaces Sediment tolerance is lower in new recruits

27 Runoff effects reef community structure Honolua Bay, Maui

28 Let s pause for 2 questions

29 Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs Land-based pollution impacts Management actions Teaching resources

30 Managing land-based pollution US Coral Reef Task Force formed Addressing key threats to reefs is a national priority Development of local action strategies More information:

31 Hawaii s Local Action Strategy: A collaborative multi-agency and community approach to protect Hawaii s coral reefs Sustainable Living Institute of Maui

32 Taking action to: Reduce pollutant loads Increase understanding through scientific research & monitoring Increase awareness

33 Outline Coral biology Value of coral reefs Known effects of landbased pollution Management actions Teaching resources

34 Lesson Plans & Curriculum

38 Activities

39 Educational materials International Year of the Reef

40 Other educational materials available from NOAA and NSTA Science Objects (4): Coral Reef Ecosystems Web Seminar Archives (2): Today s and April 10 s SciPack: Coral Reef Ecosystems SciGuide: Coral Ecosystems Journal Articles

41 Funding NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program was established in 2002 to create environmentally literate students and teachers through education. et/welcome.html

42 Thank you

43 Thanks to our presenter, Kathy Chaston and to NOAA for sponsoring this program

National Science Teachers Association Gerry Wheeler, Executive Director Frank Owens, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs Al Byers,

46 National Science Teachers Association Gerry Wheeler, Executive Director Frank Owens, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-learning NSTA Web Seminars Flavio Mendez, Director Jeff Layman, Technical Coordinator LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP

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