Indirect threats of ecotourism
Climate change
The energy required to travel to tropical reef destinations can be quite significant. For example; I travelled from Manchester to the Maldives in June this year, and I have calculated that around 3.16 metric tonnes of CO 2 was used for my party alone (based on 2 people) [3].
Human induced climate change caused by pollution and the use of CO2 is altering the temperatures, salinity and acidity of the oceans [15] so in effect, ecotourism is also contributing to climate change.
The relationship between coral and algae is extremely delicate and they have specific physical requirements in order to survive. Just a few degrees out of their temperature and salinity range can cause the algae to be forced out of the coral polyps, leaving the coral 'bleached" (Fig. 5). Once this happens, the coral will lack energy, and may eventually die [15].
Human induced climate change caused by pollution and the use of CO2 is altering the temperatures, salinity and acidity of the oceans [15] so in effect, ecotourism is also contributing to climate change.
The relationship between coral and algae is extremely delicate and they have specific physical requirements in order to survive. Just a few degrees out of their temperature and salinity range can cause the algae to be forced out of the coral polyps, leaving the coral 'bleached" (Fig. 5). Once this happens, the coral will lack energy, and may eventually die [15].
Fig. 5 Galaxea fascicularis (Bristle coral) affected by bleaching [8].
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In 2002, temperature warming of the Great Barrier Reef caused severe damage to 95% of its coral [15], and only 2% of Indo-Pacific reefs have the same amount of live coral, compared to 40% in the early 1980's, as a direct result of bleaching [13].
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