|
The Rainforests of the Ocean
Over a quarter of all sea life lives in one of the world's most fragile and endangered ecosystems - the coral reefs. Given that mankind has so far destroyed over 35 million acres of this habitat, this not only affects the local animal population there but threatens to disturb the whole oceanic food chain.
|
|
Projects such as construction work taking place along coastlines and the logging of tropical forests causes soil and other sediments to be washed into the oceans smothering the living coral which no longer receives sufficient light to survive. Raw, untreated sewage pumped straight into the oceans encourages the mass growth of green algae which has the same consequences for coral.
|
Over-fished reefs result in desperate fishermen. Desperate fishermen resort to desperate acts - dynamite is now being employed to harvest smaller and smaller fish. Needless to say, the surrounding coral is reduced to lifeless rubble.
The coral reefs of the world are also under further attack - they are being extensively mined to provide materials for aquariums, construction or to be sold as souvenirs.
| 
