Coral reef protection in Mexico
Corals
A coral reef is a domain of polyps that form calcareous armor and that remain in mutualism with dinoflagellates called zooxantelas. The polyps are translucent animals their beautiful colors are due to the algae that live together with them, the corals can be a single individual or be formed by thousands of polyps, the latter are called colonies, in this case each polyp would be a copy would be a copy On the other, since they can be reproduced in a sexual and asexual way, they feed on other organisms with the help of their tentacles for this reason we can say that they are carnivorous animals, they also feed on bacteria and organic substances dissolved in the water, they use different methods for achieve feed.
The corals are not plants or rocks, they are very interesting animals that form the coral reefs, they are part of a group of animals called cnidarians to which the anemones and jellyfish also belong. Their bodies are soft and jelly. There are three groups of fundamental corals, soft corals that lack calcium skeleton, hard coral corals and hard coral corals of short polyp. The corals are mainly found in tropical and subtropical areas, with little change in the surface temperature of the sea, in clear, light, shallow waters, since they live in symbiosis with a microalga Energy substances that the coral serves for its metabolism, while the coral provides these small algae with an ideal environment for their growth and are protected from predators.
Thanks to studies, it is known about the evolution of the corals which has been achieved through millions of years in our oceans. Also that the heating and acidity of the waters because of the pollution causes the bleaching and deterioration of the corals, since these being in these conditions suffer from stress and expel microalgae that help them survive and if their stress does not decreases, the colony finally dies.
When the coral is subjected to tension, either by natural factors such as the increase in water temperature or by effect of man as the exaggerated use of energies that cause global warming. Global warming is a phenomenon that generates global environmental obstacles . The corals lose the zooxantelas that are responsible for the characteristic colors of the corals, the coral reef loses its colors and acquires a white color to this process is known as whitening, which is an effect of natural tension or by the effect of being Humans about reefs. Coral bleaching is mainly attributed to the increase in sea temperature. This phenomenon causes the reduction or disappearance of coral domains and all species that are housed in the coral colonies, such as fish and crabs, Injadi and Edmunds cited in (Hernández, Reyes Bonilla, & Balart, 2009). Of the groups most affected by this phenomenon of bleaching are some shellfish, fish and crabs.
In recent years the human being has forgotten the relationship of respect and protection to the environment, also affecting himself, since, coral reefs are a very large economic source. Coral reefs provide food, attract tourism and are a fishing source. Globalization includes technological, economic, social and cultural processes. Refers to the relationship between countries. This phenomenon directly affects the environment; Removing economic obstacles and creating a global market that generates that the demand for raw material increases in great proportion and the consumption of natural resources is exploited to the maximum, (Flores, 2016). As the demand for consumption is greater, countries must overexploit the means available as forests, seas and natural reserves, and this generates greater use of energy that creates greater global warming that causes the increase in temperature in seas and therefore the bleaching and disappearance of the colonies of Coral.
Another factors that influence the death of corals is water, remember that water is a natural, vital and indispensable resource for life, for the exercise of most human activities and support for the environment, it is possible Remember that "water is life".
Water pollution is understood as the action and effect of introducing materials or inducing conditions that alter its quality and is considered contaminated when its composition is modified. However, the great demand for water and the use and discovery of new products and dangerous substances continue to increase the level of pollution.
The rapid and continuous population growth has promoted the inappropriate use of water causing pollution, deterioration and even elimination of its quality, causing chemical changes in its molecular structure, physical that do not react, but damage the life of the ecosystem and biological dangerous organisms and microorganisms that are in excess forming pests. Contaminated water has harmful effects to every living being that is exposed.
The main factors that influence pollution are waste of residual products such as: urban, industrial, agricultural and livestock origin, garbage dump and among other human waste. From these pollutants highlight water from companies, detergents of domestic and industrial use, commercial products such as plastics, paintings, fabrics, electronic devices, aerosols, cosmetics, ballast and feeling from vessels, among others.
These pollutants are discarded in such a way that they reach the seas, millions of tons that produce alterations in the growth, development, reproduction and behavior of living beings, the most alarming thing is in corals since they are very sensitive according to Conditions they need to live and this is the main cause caused by their death since they are exposed to toxins and microorganisms because of pollution. Our seas are now increasingly large since they operate as gigantic waste treatment plants, which generate destruction of flora and fauna, (Alda, 2007).
Because of the lack of environmental education over the years, the human being has managed to endanger his life due to his relationship with the environment. The negative drastic changes in the climate are a reflection of the human activities that have been carried out over the years. We currently live in a society where the system that is based on maximizing production and consumption, leaving behind responsibilities with the environment and generating an irremediable environmental change, where all types of ecosystem are affected, including the sailor, where The corals live.
Through environmental education, it is tried obligation to protect the well -being of other species that are in some danger that affects their quality of life.
Thanks to environmental education we can transform a gradual change of empathy with the environment and manage actions that grant a better future for planet Earth and for living beings within it. At present it is no longer optional to have the initiative to change our ethics and dominant lifestyle to protect natural goods.
As the interest of environmental education is to promote actions, attitudes and behaviors in daily life that improve a pleasant and empathic relationship with the environment (including each ecosystem that forms it), some key measures will be given that will help protect the reefs of corals which are our study topic:
- The corals are found in the marine ecosystem, so it is essential.
- The fertilizer residue which contains chemicals goes straight to the runoffs pollute groundwater and finally reaching the ocean, for this reason it is advisable to use organic fertilizers.
- The contact with the reef will damage the delicate coral animals, and the anchor in the reef can kill the corals.
- Decrease or not opt for the use of solar blockers, since they contain chemicals that damage coral reefs.
- Reforesting is a good option against global warming, the greater the reforestation, less toxic elements can reach the sea.
conclusion
Mexico is committed to helping coral reefs since they are currently called a sensitive ecosystem, there is an obligation to prevent and reduce pollution in order to reduce damage to them so the Secretary of the Environment and Natural resources (Semarnat) together with the Secretary of Tourism (TUR) established norms that take care Care in them, also since 1998 Tur fixed standard 05 that establishes the safety requirements for diving without causing damage to the aquatic flora and fauna, likewise the "Constitution of the oceans" (convemar) established items to care for and protect Marine beings of pollution and overexploitation. The country is part of the Wetland Convention, being committed to protecting places threatened with degradation, taking care of water in addition to control and order on the coast, adding to the cause the Convention of Biological Diversity (CDB) working together To achieve an improvement in this important ecosystem for life.
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