Tag: corals

Diving deep into the problem of ocean acidification

What is ocean acidification? 

Ocean acidification is an effect of atmospheric carbon dioxide entering the ocean, lowering the water’s pH and increasing its acidity levels. High levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is largely an effect of human activities, such as deforestation for agriculture or fuel, but it is mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – to produce large amounts of concentrated energy at a relatively low cost.  Continue reading “Diving deep into the problem of ocean acidification”

Safeguarding coastal biodiversity with ecological engineering

The rapid pace of development in coastal areas often comes at an environmental and ecological cost, with the accelerated loss of coastal nearshore habitats such as seagrass meadows and mangrove forests. However, the presence of these nearshore coastal habitats play an important role in the maintenance of resilience of coastal cities and populations. They confer resilience via ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, moderation of natural hazards and nutrient cycling. There is a recognised and urgent need to stem the loss of these valuable habitats in balance with infrastructure development and economic needs. Continue reading “Safeguarding coastal biodiversity with ecological engineering”