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1. How are coral reefs defined?

Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures
secreted by corals. Coral reefs are built by colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters
that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist
of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps belong to a group of animals known as Cnidaria,
which also includes sea anemones and jellyfish. Unlike sea anemones, corals secrete hard
carbonate exoskeletons which support and protect the coral polyps. Most reefs grow best in
warm, shallow, clear, sunny and agitated waters.The coral reefs is the forest of the ocean also
it provide home, protection and food to animal. They take in carbon dioxide which reduces
the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

2. What are three (3) underlying factors that affect local coral reef management?

Coral bleaching-Coral bleaching occurs when the relationship between the coral host and
zooxanthellae, which give coral much of their colour, breaks down. Without the
zooxanthellae, the tissue of the coral animal appears transparent and the coral's bright white
skeleton is revealed.Corals begin to starve once they bleach. While some corals are able to
feed themselves, most corals struggle to survive without their zooxanthellae.If conditions
return to normal, corals can regain their zooxanthellae, return to their normal colour and
survive. However, this stress is likely to cause decreased coral growth and reproduction, and
increased susceptibility to disease.Bleached corals often die if the stress persists. The main
cause of coral bleaching is heat stress resulting from high sea temperatures.Temperature
increases of only one degree celsius for only four weeks can trigger bleaching events.If these
temperatures persist for longer periods corals begin to die. High water temperatures can affect
reefs at regional and global scale. We can control how warm the see gets so this affect the
management.

Coastal development: The growth of coastal cities and towns generates a range of threats to
nearby coral reefs. Where space is limited, airports and other construction projects may be
built on land reclaimed from the sea. Sensitive habitats can be destroyed or disturbed by
dredging activities to make deep-water channels or marinas, and through the dumping of
waste materials. Where land development alters the natural flow of water, greater amounts of
fresh water, nutrients and sediment can reach the reefs causing further degradation. Within the
last 20 years, once prolific mangrove forests, which absorb massive amounts of nutrients and
sediment from runoff caused by farming and construction, have been destroyed. Nutrient-rich
water causes fleshy algae and phytoplankton to thrive in coastal areas in suffocating amounts
known as algal blooms. Coral reefs are biological assemblages adapted to waters with low
nutrient content, and the addition of nutrients favours species that disrupt the balance of the
reef communities.

Destructive fishing methods-Fishing with dynamite, cyanide and other methods that break up
the fragile coral reef are highly unsustainable. Dynamite and cyanide stun the fish, making
them easier to catch. Fishermen say they have no other option if they are to compete with
trawlers and overcome a smaller supply of fish because of previous overfishing. These
practices generally do not select or target particular fish species and often result in juveniles
being killed in the process. Damaging the coral reef habitat on which the fish rely will also
reduce the productivity of the area, with further impacts on the livelihoods of fishermen.

3. Given the importance of coral ecosystems, what economic impacts do the threats to coral
reef growth pose on our regional economies?
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If coral reef keep dying then less tourist would come to dominica to enjoy the experience
since Dominica is second of only two bubble coral reef location. Many Dominicans are now
employed and have a job due to the increase in popularity of the coral reef. The hotels are
now being book because people want to spend more than one week exploring the marine life
of Dominica. If the coral reef continue to die many of this people will loose their job. There
will be less income distribution in the country. Household will have lower standard of living
and the gdp level will decrease because they will no longer import the necessary equipment
needed by divers.

The fishes use the coral reel as protection and to give birth if this are gone they will be expose
to predictors. This will cause the amount of fishes available to decrease . If the amount
decreases we wont get fishes to eat or import to country that are experiencing shortage. The
fishermen who do not have much education will end up jobless and having to go to school
and learn something else.

The destruction of coral reef is bad for our economy.

4. Develop a strategy/policy that can be adopted by legislation to combat the marine and
coastal mismanagement.

Coral reefs are some of the most biologically rich and economically valuable ecosystems on
Earth. They provide food, jobs, income, and protection to billions of people worldwide.
However, coral reefs and the magnificent creatures that call them home are in danger of
disappearing if actions are not taken to protect them. They are threatened by an increasing
range of impacts including pollution, invasive species, diseases, bleaching, and global climate
change. The rapid decline and loss of these valuable, ancient, and complex ecosystems have
significant social, economic, and environmental consequences around the world.

The government can pass regulations that will force producers or firm to limit the amount of
waste material thrown into the sea. This regulation sets limit to the amount of pollutants
release by a business and if they exceed their amount the government has the right to charge
then. This is effective because firm will not want to add an extra cost on their budget which
will cause the amount of good produce to decrease so they will follow the regulation.
For example, if the soap factory near the sea is charge for realizing chemical into the sea and
smoke into the air they will reduce the amount they release. We know that smoke add to
global warming which cause the temperature of the ocean to decrease getting warmer. If less
of this is release less coral bleaching will take place . also if less chemical are thrown into the
sea there will be more ocean available for the coral reef to use to grow.