Wondering what is ‘coastal development’ and how does it impact on the destruction of coastal habitats?

ENTRY 2; WEEK 6

Coastal Development can be defined as an array of human activities that includes beachfront constructions that negatively affects the natural environment, harming both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

There are many areas of the oceans that are suffering from man-made habitat destruction, but coastal areas are disproportionately affected. Majority of the human population prefer living along or near water. As the global population grows, the coastal land use and development will continue to increase. Coastal areas are homes for over 90% of marine species.

Coastal Development

                                                      Impacts from Coastal Development

• Construction projects- such as land reclamation, this can kill the reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds instantly.

• Degradation of coral reefs- this can result in lost of tourism revenue in countries that depend on reef-based tourism.

• Coastal construction- cause chronic sedimentation, sewage effluent, industrial discharge, and changes in water flow and runoff, which can adversely affect coral growth rates and metabolic activities as well as directly kill corals.

• Removal of reefs-result in beach erosion, land retreat, and sedimentation.

• Sedimentation- increase turbidity in coastal waters, thus reducing light needed for coral growth and survival.

• Pollutants- increases in coral disease and mortality as well as changes the structure and growth of coastal organisms.

• Mining of coral for construction materials-can lead to long-term economic losses in terms of lost benefits for fisheries, food security and biodiversity.

As the coastal population increases and natural coastal protection is degraded, sea-level rise and changes in weather patterns are likely to increase the effects of harmful coastal development. A combination of local impacts of land and abiotic factors can result in the threatening and struggle of survival by coastal ecosystems.

References

References

n.d. Google Images. https://www.google.tt/search?q=coastal+development&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMInev14-XgyAIVRBkeCh2zAwAd#tbm=isch&q=coastal+development+affecting+coral+reefs&imgrc=b5fUgyjPakn4kM%3A.

Nature, World Wide Fund For. n.d. Coastal development problems: Tourism. http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/tourism/tourism_pressure/.

n.d. PANGEASED. http://pangeaseed.org/issues/coastal-development/.

Wetlands, Coral Reefs & Seagrass Beds

ENTRY 1; WEEK 5

• What are wetlands?

Wetlands can be defined as lands transition between terrestrial and aquatic systems, where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water.

Wetlands must contain the following attributes: (1) At least periodically, the land supports mainly hydrophytes (aquatic plants), (2) the substrate is mainly undrained hydric (moist) soil, and (3) the substrate is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season each year.

• Examples Of Wetlands

1. Mangroves
2. Marshes
3. Lagoons

Water logged area-Mangroves

• What is a coral reef?

A coral reef generally refers to a marine ecosystem in which the principal organisms are corals. Such ecosystem needs warm temperature, fully marine waters (salt water) and ample sunlight for survival. There are three types of coral reefs:

1. Atolls 
2. Fringing Reefs
3. Barrier Reefs

Types Of Coral Reefs

The most common of these reefs are the Fringing Reefs and Barrier Reefs. Fringing Reefs grow attached to the shore line of islands or continents. Barrier Reefs grow along the outer edges of continental shelves separated from the mainland by open water.

Coral Reef

• What is a Seagrass Bed?

A seagrass bed is any variety of seaweeds or submersed marine grass like plants that grow in shallow coastal waters. Seagrass beds are important as it provides a habitat for aquatic organisms to feed,reproduce and live.

Example Of Seagrass Bed

Introduction To My Blog!

My name is Satish Singh, I am currently a Year One (1) student at University of The West Indies (UWI). I was born in the diverse twin island of Trinidad & Tobago. I am currently pursuing Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology at the university as my undergraduate degree. I have a passion for Environmental Science; nature provides the adventurous opportunity of discovering new aspects of organisms of all shapes and sizes. Nature has helped us in many ways, maintaining and preserving the Earth; this however, is a great responsibility and fulfilling experience. 

As a young environmentalist in the making, I would like to edify individuals to become aware of their surroundings and what nature has to offer. I am over-joyed that as an individual I can share my research on a world wide scale via this blog. Having a love and great desire in what you do can bring out your full potential. 
Go Green & Save The Environment! 

Satish Singh, Environmental Scientist (Observing Wetland At Godineau Swamp, Trinidad, W.I) 

Thank you so much for your time and interest! Just remember, "Who You Are Can Make A Difference!" 

Yours Respectfully,

Satish M Singh

Student, UWI

St. Augustine