90% Of Malaysia's Coral Reefs Dead From Global Warming

[hatrack]

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 90% of Malaysia’s corals are dead due to global warming, and the reefs may never recover unless the people switch to a greener lifestyle. Universiti Sains Malaysia marine biologist Prof Dr Zulfigar Yassin said the lack of coral reefs, which provide a home to many marine species, would lead to fewer fishes in the ocean and hurt the fishing industry.

Noting that coral life depends on how long it has been exposed to bleaching and its frequency, he said that even with measures to reduce carbon emission, closure of dive sites and reduced intake of seafood, it would take years for corals to recover. Earlier this week, it was reported that corals in marine parks at Pulau Payar, Pulau Tioman and Pulau Redang had suffered bleaching, leading to the closure of some dive sites until the end of October.

Dr Zulfigar said bleaching had been occurring since April, spreading from the coast of India to Australia. "It is definitely due to climate change; it cannot be due to a localised cause as in the case of the BP oil spill,” he said in an interview.

Coral bleaching is most likely to occur when the sea temperature rises above 31 °C for more than two days, making corals appear white, said Dr Zulfigar. “Corals are essentially white. The colour comes from the algae living in them. Any stress on the corals, such as temperature (changes), will cause them to expel the algae.”

EDIT

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/29/nation/6746036&sec=nation

[shireen]

1. oh wow, that's really sad

as a former Malaysian, it's heart-breaking news. Many people don't realize that reefs and mangroves are deeply entwined in the ocean ecosystem. Interrupt one link, and it results in a chain reaction that will eventually hurt people. n2doc's post about the drop in ocean plankton, the base of the food web, is also very scary.

Seems like there's a silent death happening around us on a massive scale; most people are oblivious to it.

:cry:

[jpak]

2. there is no global warming - what are they talking about

harumph

[kestrel91316]

3. I'm sure this is just a perfectly normal, cyclical thing. Human activity couldn't

possibly have ANYTHING to do with it.

[Cetacea]

4. But..where is the proof?

Bastards pretending to be ignorant and along the truly ignorant who believe and follow them.
And my favorite response, usually from people with children: "I won't be alive".