The Coral Reefs of Southeast Asia: The Coral Triangle

Did you know?:

The Coral Triangle contains 30% of the world’s coral reef, 86% of the world’s marine turtle species, 2,228 reef fish species, and over 500+ coral species. It has the greatest biodiversity in the world and is considered the “Epicenter of Global Marine Biodiversity” by some scientists and researchers.

Map:

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Image:

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Spatial Scale:

The Coral Reefs of Southeast Asia is a regional ecosystem which spans 6 million kilometers. Countries included Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Solomon Islands. It is sometimes referred to as the Coral Triangle and is located in the Indo-Malayan Triangle which stretches from the Philippines to the Southern Islands of Indonesia and encompassing all of Java and Papua New Guinea.

Historical State:

The Coral Reefs of Southeast Asia is the highest and most important center of coral reef ecosystem biodiversity. The reason why this is such a diverse and lush area is because the salinity, wave exposure, temperature, depth, and turbidity in the past was ideal for coral formation. This area consists of only 1% of the earth’s surface but has 76% of reef-building coral, 35% of coral reef fish species and provides food and nutrients to a diverse and expansive marine life.

Current Human Impacts:

Human activities have caused major threats to about 88% of the coral reefs and species in the Coral Triangle. The current human impact is BAD. Some Issues include:

· Overfishing / Harmful Fishing

o Destructive fishing practices such as dynamite finishing and cyanide fishing.

§ Dynamite fishing involves using dynamite to stun the fish so they float on the surface of the water making it easy for fisherman to catch the fish. This is especially harmful to the fish as well as the coral population because it basically destroys the fundamental basis that ensures that the coral environmental structure stays in balance.

§ Cyanide fishing is most common in Indonesia and Philippines. Cyanide is inserted into the waters, which stuns the fish and settles on the reef, which causes deterioration and eventual demise of the coral.

· Pollution

o Pollution in the form of sewage, agricultural waste, industrial waste, and oil and heavy metal run-off occurs in the Coral Triangle.

o Factory run off containing heated water from power plants and other factories have harmed the coral because it decreases light and causes an imbalance in nutrients. The species are not able to adapt or withstand the intense heat and changes in temperature.

· Sedimentation

o Due to the overwhelming population increases, many forests have been cleared for land. When rain falls on the tree-less land, it gives off sediment that goes straight to the ocean. Some coral have adapted to the sediment by creating mucus which protects the body of the coral, but if the sediment continues, it will kill of coral.

· Bleaching

o This is the loss of color pigmentation on the algae and occurs when the water temperature gets too hot or too cold for the algae. It is caused by the heating up of water through natural events, such as El Nino. Global warming and other human-cause environmental issues cause the temperature fluctuations. This in turn can damage and kill the coral.

· Tourism

o Even though tourism brings substantial revenue to Southeast Asia, it is nevertheless harmful to the coral reefs. Tourists can potentially harm the coral reefs by surfing over them or unnecessary taking or physically touching the coral. Certain tourist business specialize in sending out expeditions and SCUBA trips for tourists to view first hand the amazing beauty of the reefs, but sometimes this close interaction just leads to further harm and detriment of the coral and marine wildlife that surrounds it.

· Oil Spills

o There are about 100,000 oil tankers and cargo vessels that go through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore each year which carry over 3 million barrels of oil each day. Collisions or grounding by tankers and the deliberate dumping of oil causes more than 25 oils slicks in a 10,000 sq. km. section of the Coral Triangle.

Benefits of the Coral Triangle:

The Coral Triangle supplies a habitat for the highest biological diversity in the world. It supplies a breeding ground for a great number of species (just 1,650+ fish species in Indonesia alone). It also holds 75% of the world’s mangrove species and 45% of sea grass species. In addition it is the spawning and breeding ground for commercial fish. For example, the billion-dollar tuna industry relies on the Coral Triangle for a spawning and breeding ground. Humans use around 60% of the animal protein from this area. It is estimated that about 120 million people use the resources directly from the Coral Triangle. In addition, this area sources a $2.4 billion dollar fishing industry and a $12 billion tourism industry in Southeast Asia in areas such as Komodo and Raja Ampat.

Future Prospects:

It is estimated that all the coral will be gone in the region by 2100 and major depletion within the next 40 years without strong intervention. This will cause a decline in Southeast Asian food production by 80% and would affect over 100 million people. In 1997, El Nino weather caused the largest recorded coral bleaching event, which led to the destruction of 18% of the Southeast Asian reefs. Marine life including turtles, sharks, and tuna are being removed from the water at rates which makes these species headed towards extinction.

There are plans to protect this rapidly depleting area. The Singapore National Parks Board are planning to create and maintain a protected area. Thailand in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development have began a coastal resources program intended to raise awareness and prevent further harm. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations have worked together to improve and fund research on coral reefs, sea grass beds, and mangroves.

Protected Areas?

According to the Association of Southeast Asia Nations study on the Protected Areas in Southeast Asia, there are certain priority sites that are protected areas. Certain sites include the Kaoh Kapi and Pream Krasop areas in Cambodia, the fringing reefs in Sarawak, and the Taka Bone Rate area in Indonesia. Most of these areas are considered in good condition even facing numerous difficulties from fishing and other industries. The Semporna and Sipadan sites are being considered to become a protected area because they are important nesting sites for Green and Hawksbill turtles.

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What Can be Done to Save the Coral Triangle?

The Coral Triangle must be actively conserved and preserved in order to ensure that the entire coral reef does not disappear. There needs to be an active partnership between the population, businesses, and government in Southeast Asia to make a successful change. Conservationists must delve in on areas that have the highest species content, wide array of habitat types and endemic species. Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg of the University of Queensland states, “Effective management of coastal resources through a range of options including locally-managed regional networks of marine protected areas, protection of mangrove and seagrass beds and effective management of fisheries results in a slower decline in these resources.”

Some other ideas include the enforcement of banning harmful fishing practices, strict regulation on coral extraction, educating the local population on sustainable practices which do not harm the environment, and funding more research and publications to publicize the issue on the decreasing coral population.

Charts & Tables

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