Sustainability and Coral Reefs
Sustainability is the method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not hurt or permanently damaged.
An example of how sustainability is used amongst the human race involves coral reefs. Coral reefs supply millions with food and other resources. This particular ecosystem is facing greater rates of disturbances because of our actions. Too much disturbances reduces the productivity, diversity and resilience of the coral reef ecosystem. Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean's area, although they supply millions of people with food, employment opportunities, and other sources. We need to sustain coral reefs, as well as other ecosystems, to supply more and more resources to support our gr owning members. These members are, however being threatened with destruction. "Coral Reefs are becoming unproductive just when we need them the most," remarked Steve Palumbi, marine biologists at Stanford University. This seems to be a severe problem that needs to be addressed immediately by all of us.
To sustain means to try and keep things running as long as possible; hopefully forever. The key to creating a more sustainable world is balance. Balancing how much we take out of our ecosystems may greatly increase sustainability. If we take more than an ecosystem can supply, damages may often occur.
There are three keys that contribute to sustainability:
1. Productivity- The growth rate of the living part of an ecosystem. It determines how fast we can use an ecosystem's resources. We can maintain a sustainable ecosystem by balancing the rate we take resources with the rate they are made.
2. Diversity- Diversity affects the amount of resources we can use from an ecosystem. It influences health, resilience and productivity. Taking too much from an ecosystem decreases diversity and sustainability.
3. Resilience- Resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to resist or recover from disturbances. How ecosystems cope with damage from hurricanes, burnt by fires, or devoured by predators.
I also wanted to mention a solution to this problem of using too many of our earth's resources.
ReplyDeleteThe alternative would be to use technology to produce man-made ecosystems. Although this alternative does not exist today, it would be a solution and a way to preserve and sustain our earth's natural resources.