Analysis of Human Activities on Coral Reef Ecosystems

Analysis of Human Activities on Coral Reef Ecosystems

Climate change is not just another issue. It is the issue that, unchecked, will swamp
other issues. The only hope lies in all the countries of the world coming together around a
common global project to rewire the world with clean energy. This is a path to peace peace
among people, and peace between people and nature, according to journalist and
environmentalist Ross Gelbspan (If Left Unchecked). For over 100 years, the Earth has
experienced dramatic changes in climate patterns. This is caused by human actions that resulted
in an unprecedented loss of habitat, depreciation of species diversity, and other forms of
dysfunction in ecosystems. One such ecosystem, coral reefs, has experienced significant shifts in
overall demographics and fecundity, the reproductive potential, due to bleaching and diseases
caused by ocean acidification and changes in ocean temperature (Riegl & Purkis, 2015). Because
of humanitys negative impacts on the environment through greenhouse gas emissions, chemical
pollution, and habitat destruction, the Earths ecosystems, such as coral reefs, today face
unprecedented challenges in the context of climate change and mass species extinction. Due to
the planets and humanitys dependency on these ecosystems, Riegl successfully argues that
changes in ocean acidity and temperature can have devastating outcomes on coral reef
ecosystems, which in turn can negatively impact other organisms.
In the study, Riegl supported his argument through the application of scientific reasoning
in the methods he used. He monitored changes in size-classes, the various groups that coral in the
study are assigned based on their size, fecundity, and demographics of coral reefs in the area of
Ras Ghanada, United Arab Emirates, from 2007 to 2013. The purpose of Riegls six-year study
was to test his hypothesis that if temperatures were to rise and ocean acidity were to increase,
then it would result in the increased frequency of bleaching and mortality of coral reefs.

Analysis of Human Activities on Coral Reef Ecosystems

In the scientific method, a hypothesis is an educated guess on how and why an event
occurs. In order for a hypothesis to be plausible, it needs to be disprovable and testable
(Bradford, March 17, 2015). In the case of Riegls study, his hypothesis is not only plausible but
also supported by the findings of past experiments by other scientists. Hypotheses are tested by
designing and conducting experiments in which scientists gather data to determine if it supports
or refutes the hypothesis. In the experiment, the scientists gather data through monitoring
fecundity, coral cover, and changes in size-class distribution over time. Over the course of
Riegls study, the data acquired showed that changes in size-class distributions and species
composition occurred as a result of increased ocean temperature. It is important to note that not
all of the changes to the coral reefs that occurred in the study were negative. The exception to the
trend was the species Cyphastrea microphtalma, which was the most heat-tolerant coral species
of the study and therefore was more acclimated to the changing environment than the others.
(Riegl & Purkis, 2015)
Scientists use different cognitive processes to determine the validity of their hypothesis
by linking premises that are assumed to be true to ultimately reach a conclusion. Deductive
reasoning is the process by which a person starts with a general premise and inspects the
possibilities to reach a specific conclusion (Bradford, March 23, 2015). In the introduction of the
study, Riegl states his hypothesis that changes in ocean temperatures due to climate change
would result in the demise of coral reefs. As the study progresses, Riegl uses data acquired from
the study to develop specific premises that would support the hypothesis. For example, Riegl
discussed the overall significant decline in coral cover from 2010 to 2012, with variations among
coral species. Riegl then elaborates on this coral cover decline by providing a more detailed
explanation. Shifts in size-class distributions caused by disturbance events reflect an overall
decrease in coral size over time. The disturbance event refers to the period of time when the

Analysis of Human Activities on Coral Reef Ecosystems

monitored coral species experienced significant decline due to bleaching. The study mentioned
that prior to the disturbance event, all species underwent loops in either SC3 or SC4, the largest
size-class distributions in the study, and that shrinkage rarely occurred by a single size-class. The
data collected supports the initial hypothesis by stating that the disturbance event, which was
assumed to be rising ocean temperatures is the cause of shrinkage in size-class distributions.
Also, the study added that shrinkage and decreased coral cover had negative impacts on the
fecundity of the coral reef species. Since the fecundity was compromised, the already reduced
coral populations were at another disadvantage since they were unable to recover to predisturbance levels. Once again, the observations made and data gathered in the study support
both past data and the initial hypothesis. Having supportive objective data from the experiment
helps Riegl advance his argument that rising ocean temperatures cause coral reef degradation by
backing his initial hypothesis with correlative data. Riegl thus strengthens his overall argument
by providing objective information that is difficult to refute.
Another way that Riegl succeeds in making his argument is through his use of scientific
models in the study, which represent changes in size-class distribution and fecundity when
certain data pertaining to the study are unavailable. A model is a human-constructed mockup or
representation that can help scientists understand and explain what they are trying to determine
or predict. Models can come in the form of a physical representation of a system, or a
mathematical process usually executed by computer systems (Scientific Modeling). While a
model is a man-made mockup of a system, it should resemble the actual system. For example, a
cake recipe would be a model that represents the actual cake. While the recipe is not an exact
replica of the actual cake, it provides information that can help someone examine and understand
how the cake was made. Likewise, in the study, the Woods Method mathematical equation is
used as a scientific model that represents the coral population based on their growth, fecundity,

Analysis of Human Activities on Coral Reef Ecosystems

and survival, which can help scientists better understand and examine the dynamics of a coral
reef ecosystem. If a person were to input the data using the equation, the output would reflect the
data shown in the graphs of the study. As with a hypothesis, a scientific model must be testable
and refutable in order for it to be valid. A model can be used to determine or predict the outcome
of an occurrence as long as its predictions align with recorded data. These traits are critical in
order for a model to be a reliable tool for scientists. A models alignment with real-world data, its
ability to break down complex concepts into simple sets of information, and its ability to be
tested demonstrates to scientists that it can be a useful tool for supporting ones hypothesis.
Lastly, the findings from the studys conclusion can help people better understand the
impacts that human actions have on coral reef ecosystems. To reiterate, over the course of the
study, overall coral cover declined significantly due to a combination of disease, infection, and
bleaching, although there was some variation in the impact and recovery for each species. One
important implication of this study is that it can teach people about the possible chain reactions
that occur in an ecosystem due to effects on one species. In the results section of the paper, the
coral species accounted for were identified as a keystone species, a species that play a unique
and pivotal role in sustaining the overall well-being of an ecosystem (Riegl & Purkis, 2015).
That would mean the habitat would be significantly different or even defunct if that keystone
species were to experience a dramatic decline or become extinct.
While the study did not go over the specific impacts that coral reef degradation had on
other species, it can be inferred that the dramatic change that occurred would have resulted in a
change in the ecosystem. Riegl did not elaborate that much on the potential impacts that coral
degradation would have on other species in the paper, however, one can assume that preserving
marine ecosystems such as coral reefs is crucial due to the complex chain reactions that can
occur due to human impact on the environment. For example, if the Acropora downingi kept the

Analysis of Human Activities on Coral Reef Ecosystems

zooplankton population in check due to its predator-prey relationship, then the extinction of
Acropora would result in a dramatic surge in the zooplankton population, which could
significantly reduce the amount of available oxygen in the ocean water, thus leading to the
demise of many marine organisms from hypoxia. If that were to occur, there would be fewer fish
available for humans to catch, which would have repercussions in terms of providing food and
sustaining economic health. As the primary cause of recent environmental change, humans need
to be more careful with the decisions they make since the outcomes can have long-lasting
impacts that are difficult to predict precisely. This aligns with the precautionary principle, the
idea that it is better to refrain from an activity until its consequences can be better understood.
Riegl utilizes and applies scientific models, his hypothesis, and methods of scientific
reasoning to substantiate his argument that changes in ocean acidity and temperature caused by
human actions can have devastating outcomes on coral reef ecosystems, which in turn can affect
other organisms including humans. In the study, Riegl proved that the mass bleaching and
disease outbreaks that occurred in the coral populations in the study were due to the increase of
ocean temperatures. The increase in ocean temperatures was a result of the greenhouse effect
caused by an increase in heat-trapping greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane.
Riegl also utilized Woods Method, a mathematical model, to predict changes in size-class
distribution in order to better support his hypothesis. Studies such as these are crucial for society
to learn from since the impacts that humans have on the environment can have severe, complex,
and long-lasting repercussions that in many cases are irreversible.

Analysis of Human Activities on Coral Reef Ecosystems

References
Riegl, B., & Purkis, S. (2015). Coral population dynamics across consecutive mass mortality
events. Global Change Biology, 21(11), 3995-4005. doi:10.1111/gcb.13014.
Bradford, A. (2015, March 23). Deductive Reasoning vs. Inductive Reasoning. Retrieved
November 12, 2015, from http://www.livescience.com/21569-deduction-vsinduction.html
If Left Unchecked, This Issue Will Swamp all Other All Other Issues. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 7, 2015, from http://www.climatebites.org/climate-communication-metaphorsand-soundbites/the-consequences-are-bad/risk-a-probability/if-left-unchecked-this-issuewill-swamp-all-other-all-other-issues.
Scientific Modelling. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2015, from
http://sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/The-Noisy-Reef/Science-Ideas-andConcepts/Scientific-modelling.
Bradford, A. (2015, March 17). What is a Scientific Hypothesis? | Definition of Hypothesis.
Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://www.livescience.com/21490-what-is-ascientific-hypothesis-definition-of-hypothesis.html.