Annotated Bibliography
Annotated Bibliography
Welle, Paul D., et al. “Estimating the Effect of Multiple Environmental Stressors on Coral Bleaching and Mortality.” Plos One, vol. 12, no. 5, Apr. 2017. Academic Search Complete, EBSCO, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175018. Accessed 16 July 2017
The article outlines the changes in coral over the last hundred years and discusses the many causes for stress to the coral. This document offered valuable information on the effects of climate change on coral reefs. Extensive data from numerous studies was provided to show the effects of minimal temperature changes on the health of coral reefs. The research project listed many different reasons and causes for coral beaching, and explained why it was happening at such a fast rate. It also outlined the various stages of coral bleaching starting from when the coral is flourishing through its death. Ultimately, the data supports that the effect on coral due to temperature changes is the number one stressor. This was an academic article from EBSCO information center which is a website that posts academic research posts from professors or scientists research and was supported by The Center for Climate and Energy Decision Making.
Fleshler, David. “Corals off South Florida Hit with Severe Bleaching.” Sun-Sentinel.com, 28 Sept. 2015, www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-coral-bleaching-20150928-story.html. Accessed 16 July 2017.
This citation was from an article out of the Sun-Sentinel which is a local newspaper in the southeast region of Florida. The news article discusses the impact of global warming and El Nino on the coral reefs in the regions. The article references specifically the impact of the temperature changes on reefs from the Florida Keys to Palm Beach County, The article gives a good explanation of coral bleaching. Diseases on the coral reef, which have been found by the scientists is outlined in the article as well. The reefs that are referenced are estimated to be 200 to 300 years old and if the situation is not reversed quickly the reefs will not be saved. Some suggestions are given in the article about what measures can be taken to save the reefs. This included studying the reefs that have been resistant to the temperature changes.
US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “How Does Overfishing Threaten Coral Reefs?” NOAA's National Ocean Service, 23 June 2016, oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral-overfishing.html. Accessed 17 July 2017.
This academic journal was written by scientists from the US Department of Commerce, more specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This article had a very informative graphic which showed the effects of overfishing on coral reefs. The article outlined what overfishing is and the impact that commercial fisherman are having on the death of the coral reef. The article outlines how fish is a significant food source for millions of people around the world. The graphic and article also outlined four ways that people could help keep the corals reef healthy. These included being a responsible fisherman, meaning only take what you can or will eat. This article also references the dangers of marine debris which includes lost nets and monofilament fishing line. These items when not disposed of properly can lead to fish dying unnecessarily.
Eassa, Jeffrey. Personal Interview. 14 July, 2016.
I conducted this interview live with my dive partner for the last six years. Mr. Eassa has been diving the local reefs of West Palm Beach for the last 30 years. He went through certification classes at a local dive shop when he was 22 years old. Mr. Eassa shared his passion for fishing and scuba diving with both family and friends on his 26 foot boot. While conducting the interview I learned valuable historical information about the diving community 30 years ago as Mr. Eassa compared it to today. He explained how the number of boats that are diving the local reefs on a weekly basis by his estimate has quadrupled. The reefs bear the brunt of this overuse and abuse. He shared how the reefs have changed in both the number of fish habituating on them as well as the diminished color of the corals. Finally he shared how he participates in local events in keeping the reefs safe and clean.
“Dive Log.” Narcosis Dive Company, narcosisdive.com/divelog.php. Accessed 19 July 2017.
This is a website I located on the internet which posts dive logs of individual divers from local reefs. Using this data I am going to compare some of my experiences while diving with others on some of the same reefs. Using this website, I can search for specific dates throughout 2017. The logs specifically list the date, the time of the dives, conditions of the ocean, including temperature, wave height and visibility of the ocean during the dive. Other items posted on the logs include the weather, the depth of the dive, and sea life present during the dive. The log format is consistent with the logs that I keep when I record my dives. Going through a few of the logs posted, you can see that each day that a dive is recorded almost all elements of the log are different. It was also cool to see what other people were seeing and observing on the same reefs I dive back home.
Yap, Helen T. “A Perilous Future for Coral Reefs.” Conservation Biology, vol. 25, no. 1, 2011, pp. 205–206. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/27976445
This is an excerpt from an academic journal which focuses on the different aspects of biology. Many topics are covered including rainforests, deserts, and most importantly, coral reefs. During the section about coral reefs, the journal talks mainly about the future of the coral reefs and the conditions which are impacting them. The article outlines that one of the major causes of the death of the coral reef is the excess amount of greenhouse gases which include the effects of methane and carbon dioxide in the ocean water. In addition it explains that what ocean acidification is and the underlying impact it has on the health of the coral reefs Ocean acidification is an increase of pH in the ocean waters and the journal references how coral cannot handle the increase for excessive periods of time.
Schoeman, Kiera, et al. “The Perceived Value of a Scuba Diving Experience.” Journal of Coastal Research, vol. 32, no. 5, 2016, pp. 1071–1080. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/43893620
This reference came from the Journal of Costal Research. The article outlines the results of a survey that was done at Sodwana Bay. The authors survey 402 divers on many varied topics including the risk of scuba diving versus the emotional value. The article also discusses the value to coastal communities that have coral reefs near their shores. The values discussed include marine tourism which adds to the employment value. Millions of dollars are spent on scuba equipment so the study wanted to learn what was important to scuba divers so that they can work towards their improving the experience.
