Coral reef article - Dire prediction for world's coral reefs

[GinaD]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/10/25/coral.threat.ap/index.html

They claim "Sixty percent of the world's coral could die within a quarter century, according to researchers."

 

[GinaD]

Is it just me, or is there an article out just like this one every few years or so?

 

[RobboT]

Well in general the outlook is pretty grim in general for all of the worlds habitats as we currently know them isnt it? Especially if you ask Al Gore

My honest opinion is that it sucks and yeah maybe we are accelerating it a bit but chances are there was going to be a global warming trend anyway. Everything goes in cycles so it's either Global Warming or heading to the Next Ice Age, take your pick. People are just afraid to think about things on that scale I think. They think what we have now will last forever and a few thousand years is a long time but to expect that life as we know it will continue forever is just plain silly.

I imagine in a thousand years or so alot of things we take for granted will only be seen in museums That is if the human race is even around.

 

[smcnally]

I't life...Things die and disappear. But, on the other hand, things also evolve and grow. I find it funny that they always write these articles, but never point out that many of these corals and fish could very well evolve and accept the situations surrounding them.

 

[fanaglethebagle]

The rate of pirates go down, global warming goes up.

See my logic?

I personnally believe that the earth goes through a cycle, and eventually there will be another ice age, rinse, repeat. Just not in our lifetime

 

[flavescens]

doubtful evolution

It is not out of the question, but it is really doubtful that the reefs and their inhabitants will be able to evolve amidst the conditions that are threatening them that were written about in this and other articles.

Don't forget that evolution of a species takes tens of thousands of years. The problems facing the reefs today are conditions created by global warming and oddly enough, poisoning from use of industrial chemicals and even fertalizers. So, its unlikely that the reefs can evolve through stuff like that. I personally, hardly think that this is a dooms day type of Al Gore prediction. It seems to me to be all too possible...

 

[RobboT]

It is not out of the question, but it is really doubtful that the reefs and their inhabitants will be able to evolve amidst the conditions that are threatening them that were written about in this and other articles.

Don't forget that evolution of a species takes tens of thousands of years. The problems facing the reefs today are conditions created by global warming and oddly enough, poisoning from use of industrial chemicals and even fertalizers. So, its unlikely that the reefs can evolve through stuff like that. I personally, hardly think that this is a dooms day type of Al Gore prediction. It seems to me to be all too possible...

The reefs evolved despite periods of serious volcanic activity, ice ages and other climate changes and natural phenomena. For us to assume that we are the reason for the rise in ocean temps and such is a bit egotistical considering that we havent really measured much of the earths climatological data. I'll agree we're not helping and pollution kills off plenty but in the grand millions and millions of years scheme the human race doesnt really amount to very much.

Somewere along the way humans became deluded into thinking we somehow have control over these things Sooner or later a climate change or some other natural event will likely wipe the slate clean like it did with the dinosaurs. And when things swing back to center whatever survived will start over again. That might even mean a few humans make it

Environmentalists arent trying to save the earth, they're trying to save themselves

 

[mloebl]

I've seen a lot of the doom and gloom articles about reefs. However I posted a link awhile back to another article that found corals can switch their symbiotic algaes to ones apparently that can take the higher water temperatures. I remain optomistic that many of the species will end up adapting as they already have as Robbo points out.

-Mike

 

[RobboT]

Who knows maybe someday corals will rule the planet

 

[RobboT]

BTW, I didnt mean to take away from the fact that the reefs are dying. Sorry about that Gina. It certainly is a shame whatever the reason. I like to think that by BRS trading corals and promoting captive bred fish and coral we can do a little to prolong the life of the reefs. Humans certainly havent helped in any regard.

 

[FinzAquatics]

Planet of the Reefs

 

[MAReefer1]

It is not out of the question, but it is really doubtful that the reefs and their inhabitants will be able to evolve amidst the conditions that are threatening them that were written about in this and other articles.

Don't forget that evolution of a species takes tens of thousands of years. The problems facing the reefs today are conditions created by global warming and oddly enough, poisoning from use of industrial chemicals and even fertalizers. So, its unlikely that the reefs can evolve through stuff like that. I personally, hardly think that this is a dooms day type of Al Gore prediction. It seems to me to be all too possible...

Natural selection could also play a role, determining which species of corals (and other orgonism that inhabit the reef) are strong and hardy enough to survive changes in there environment.

Although in a sense ,Its not quite evolution, but mother natures way of picking which orgonisms will live on to devlop and further evolve.

It really could go in any direction.

 

[Yaktop]

I'm hoping my corals will end up bringing me riches some day Kidding.......look around, extinct this, extinct that. eventually it will be sorta like the movies we watch now. Like Dick Tracy not that long ago. Technology got us into this mess and is our only hope to get us out of it.

 

[MAReefer1]

Technology got us into this mess and is our only hope to get us out of it.

very true.

 

[GinaD]

BTW, I didnt mean to take away from the fact that the reefs are dying. Sorry about that Gina. It certainly is a shame whatever the reason. I like to think that by BRS trading corals and promoting captive bred fish and coral we can do a little to prolong the life of the reefs. Humans certainly havent helped in any regard.

Oh, I know - thanks. I just think that most of these articles are worth reading and taking seriously, it's not worth getting your undies in a bunch, since it's not 'dooms day' tomorrow.

 

[RobboT]

Nope doomsday isnt tomorrow and if Al Gore is right the oceans will rise 100-300 feet. My house sits at 365 above sea level. Can you say "Ocean Front Property"

I like that technology might be our way out of this idea Ed. Thing is we humans talk alot but the majority dont care enough to do anything until its too late. No offense to Gina but the "its not doomsday tomorrow" kinda reflects that Nature acts on a timescale far larger than even the 60-90 years I'll be on this planet. If we acted today maybe we could fix something but I just dont have any faith in the human race to plan ahead.

If theres an afterlife our great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren are gonna have some words for us Id imagine.

 

[Yaktop]

Nope doomsday isnt tomorrow and if Al Gore is right the oceans will rise 100-300 feet. My house sits at 365 above sea level. Can you say "Ocean Front Property"

I like that technology might be our way out of this idea Ed. Thing is we humans talk alot but the majority dont care enough to do anything until its too late. No offense to Gina but the "its not doomsday tomorrow" kinda reflects that Nature acts on a timescale far larger than even the 60-90 years I'll be on this planet. If we acted today maybe we could fix something but I just dont have any faith in the human race to plan ahead.

If theres an afterlife our great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren are gonna have some words for us Id imagine.

yup, crisis management. Its to live today and react for today, its why theres so much debt and lack of spending and saving for retirement - all the same. Short sightedness or reactive management. In case of of the larger scale, politics. what can get me elected or re-elected. Once we're in, we'll worry about it later. and then time marches on..................

 

[GinaD]

No offense taken, since I meant "tomorrow" to be October 26th - not "tomorrow" - our future.

 

[GinaD]

yup, crisis management. Its to live today and react for today, its why theres so much debt and lack of spending and saving for retirement - all the same. Short sightedness or reactive management. In case of of the larger scale, politics. what can get me elected or re-elected. Once we're in, we'll worry about it later. and then time marches on..................

Oh, don't you dare turn my thread into a liberal political thread or I'll have it locked!

 

[Yaktop]

it's not worth getting your undies in a bunch,/quote]

excuse me didnt know it was a private thread. just a conversation.