| ca is a premier destination for vacationers looking for | | | | slowly rebuilt over the decades. This is nature's way |
| a little fun in the sun, and this country's coral reef is a | | | | of making the ecosystem stronger. The same thing |
| spectacular site that thousands view every year. | | | | occurs with wildfires, for example; the result is a |
| Unfortunately, these coral reefs could be in danger. | | | | stronger forest in the long run. However, it is |
| Learning a bit about the history of Jamaica's coral | | | | because of human involvement that the coral reefs |
| reefs can help to show you why it is so important to | | | | have not been able to rebuild as easily. |
| save them. | | | | Hurricanes are a major problem for the coral reef. |
| Jamaica and Its Reef | | | | They naturally sweep through the Caribbean many |
| Situated below Cuba and west of Haiti, Jamaica is a | | | | times each year, and when this happens, the coral |
| small Caribbean island with about 2.65 million residents | | | | reefs are broken down. Major hurricanes in 1980 and |
| as of the year 2000. Tourism is this country's main | | | | 1988 were factored into the deterioration of |
| industry, with many cruise lines docking in Jamaica's | | | | Jamaica's coral reefs today. In addition, a natural |
| ports every day. Their coral reef is a prime | | | | disease among sea urchins in 1983 caused significant |
| destination for those interested in snorkeling, diving, | | | | problems with algae, which reduces a coral's ability to |
| and fishing. | | | | survive and rebuild after a major hurricane. Because |
| The reef is on the fringe of the northern coast, | | | | of over-fishing, these urchins were the last major |
| naturally growing on a narrow shelf around the island. | | | | algae eaters in the area, and their disappearance led |
| It is less structured in the south, where river | | | | to a major increase in algae. |
| sediment breaks up coral growth on a shallower, | | | | Coral bleaching and other coral diseases also occur |
| wide shelf. Many Jamaicans fish along designated | | | | naturally from time to time. Once there is aggressive |
| areas of this reef, while areas mostly in the north are | | | | algae growth, it is difficult for coral to rebuild on the |
| limited to tourists interested in water sports. | | | | reef after a plague. In recent history, these type of |
| Problems with the Jamaican Reef | | | | major coral reef problems occurred in 1987, 1989, |
| In the past few decades, scientists have found that | | | | 1990, and 1998. |
| Jamaica's coral reef was deteriorating at an alarming | | | | New Hope for Jamaica's Coral Reefs |
| rate. Studies of this deterioration have shown three | | | | Luckily, there is hope for Jamaica's coral reef |
| major problems: | | | | ecosystem. In recent years, as people began to care |
| Jamaican residents have overused reef resources. | | | | more about the environment, scientists began to |
| Because there are few job opportunities on this | | | | study the coral reef and work on renewing it to its |
| island, many families rely on fishing as a way to feed | | | | former splendor. Stricter laws were placed in effect |
| themselves and their children. As a result, the marine | | | | to help with erosion, pollution, and fishing problems. |
| life slowly dwindled, contributing to the rise of algae in | | | | While there are still a number of problems, Jamaica's |
| the water. | | | | government understands that the Caribbean coral |
| Farming has caused increasing erosion along the | | | | reefs are directly responsible for protecting the |
| coast. As sediment flows into the water, it smashes | | | | islands and pulling in tourists. More of an effort is |
| and covers the reef, killing the coral. Agriculture is one | | | | made today than in the past to help preserve these |
| of the main industries in Jamaica. | | | | natural treasures. |
| Waves of tourists have caused an over-development | | | | On top of that, "Eco-tourism" popularity is on the rise. |
| of coastal regions. While this did relieve some of the | | | | This type of vacation is based on learning about the |
| pressure on fishing, since the increase in tourism | | | | environment and helping to understand how to make |
| created more jobs, the coral reefs were damaged as | | | | things better. More and more tourists are coming to |
| the land near the water was developed. Pollution and | | | | Jamaica not to snorkel and fish, but to learn about |
| other disturbances created a less than ideal situation | | | | the environment. If you're considering a Jamaican |
| for coral reefs. | | | | vacation, this might be your best option in order to |
| The Natural History of the Coral Reefs | | | | ensure that your children and their children - and their |
| Not every problem with Jamaica's coral reef is due to | | | | children - will also be able to explore and enjoy the |
| human behavior. In fact, the coral reefs off the coast | | | | reefs someday. |
| of Jamaica have been naturally destroyed and then | | | | |