[Coral-List] Dendrogyra and why we aren't saving the reefs

Wed Jun 9 18:33:14 UTC 2021

Steve G.,

So, for "the biggest of all our problems" in a professional sense you "can
make a strong case for it is a problem" without any recommendations, and
about your personal choice as a human you "don't know, so [you] don't give
advice".  Please, the question is still pending: Will human life on Earth
become unsustainable unless population growth is held in check?

Cheers,

Vassil

On Wed, Jun 9, 2021 at 10:54 AM Steve Gittings - NOAA Federal <
steve.gittings at noaa.gov> wrote:

> Vassil - If I understand your question, my answer is that, in a
> professional sense, I don't have the training that would make me a credible
> expert who can recommend ways to control human population growth, though I
> can make a strong case for it as a problem.  As a human, choices are
> personal - children/no children, family size - maybe stopping after one or
> two children.  What's the best choice?  I don't know, so I don't
> give advice.
>
> On Wed, Jun 9, 2021 at 7:25 AM Vassil Zlatarski via Coral-List <
> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>
>> Hello Steve G.,
>>
>> You noted that this is "the biggest of all our problems''.  Will human
>> life
>> on Earth become unsustainable unless population growth is held in check?
>>
>> Would you please specify what kind of limited expertise you have in mind,
>> the one of a specific employee/professional, or of a habitant of the
>> planet?
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Vassil
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 11:36 AM Steve Gittings - NOAA Federal via
>> Coral-List <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>>
>> > Alina - I doubt you get many arguments on this issue.  I agree that it's
>> > the biggest of all our problems, and, unfortunately, the least
>> tractable.
>> > But the reason you may not hear a lot of us discussing it is that it's
>> > beyond our expertise to recommend ways to deal with it.
>> >
>> > Steve
>> >
>> > On Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 9:24 AM Alina Szmant via Coral-List <
>> > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>> >
>> > > From: Alina Szmant
>> > > Sent: Saturday, June 5, 2021 10:44 AM
>> > > To: Steve Gittings - NOAA Federal <steve.gittings at noaa.gov>; Steve
>> > > Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net>
>> > > Cc: Peter Sale <sale at uwindsor.ca>
>> > > Subject: RE: [Coral-List] Dendrogyra and why we aren't saving the
>> reefs
>> > >
>> > > Hello Steve et al:
>> > >
>> > > I have been following this discussion over the past week or so, and I
>> > told
>> > > myself "don't reply... nobody what to hear me repeat myself for the
>> > > umpteenth time!!!. But I just can't help myself:
>> > >
>> > > The reason we aren't able to save coral reefs (or any other natural
>> > > ecosystem for that matter) is because like nicely behaved ostriches,
>> > human
>> > > society is sticking it's head in the sand and has it's head full of
>> > wishful
>> > > thinking.
>> > >
>> > > We can't save coral reefs (or any other ecosystem on Earth) is
>> because we
>> > > are closing our eyes and ears to the MAJOR cause of Earth ecosystem
>> > > decline: the increasingly larger size of the human population with
>> all of
>> > > the activities each of us do each day: some essential and some just
>> for
>> > > fun. All of the management and conservation efforts being made daily
>> by
>> > so
>> > > many well meaning people and organizations is being nullified and
>> worse
>> > by
>> > > the daily increase of several thousand people each and every day. 83
>> > > Million people per year. Check out this Human Odometer to see what is
>> > > happening out there while you are deliberating the best measures to
>> take
>> > to
>> > > save coral reefs:
>> > >
>> > > https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/
>> > >
>> > > As long as humanity and our leaders, and especially for coral reefs,
>> reef
>> > > aficionados, are not willing to elevate the rate of human population
>> > growth
>> > > and the oppressive number of humans on Earth to the No 1 position of
>> the
>> > > causes of decline of coral reefs (and all other Earth ecosystems), you
>> > are
>> > > putting band aids on cuts here and there of a victim whose throat has
>> > been
>> > > cut and is bleeding to death.
>> > >
>> > > We were unable to deal with environmental destruction, social equity,
>> > > pollution, overfishing, satisfying demands for cheap energy and food
>> and
>> > > other resources back when there were only 3.5 Billion people on Earth
>> > (back
>> > > in 1968 when Paul Ehrlich published the Population Bomb), so we
>> certainly
>> > > are not going to be any better at this when we now have almost 8
>> Billion
>> > > people to deal with. And as we all well know, in our misguided human
>> > > anthropocentric mentality, nature falls flat in face of the needs of
>> > nearby
>> > > humans.
>> > >
>> > > Last time I will EVER post on this issue. Have fun chasing your tails
>> on
>> > > this issue.
>> > >
>> > > Alina
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> *************************************************************************
>> > > Dr. Alina M. Szmant, CEO
>> > > CISME Instruments LLC
>> > > 210 Braxlo Lane,
>> > > Wilmington NC 28409 USA
>> > > AAUS Scientific Diving Lifetime Achievement Awardee
>> > > cell: 910-200-3913
>> > > EMAIL: alina at cisme-instruments.com
>> > > Website:  www.cisme-instruments.com
>> > >
>> > > CISME IS NOW SOLD BY QUBIT SYSTEMS; https://qubitbiology.com/cisme/
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > **********************************************************
>> > > Videos:  CISME Promotional Video 5:43 min
>> > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAYeR9qX71A&t=6s
>> > > CISME Short version Demo Video 3:00 min
>> > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa4SqS7yC08
>> > > CISME Cucalorus 10x10 Sketch   4:03 min
>> > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12sAV8oUluE
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > -----Original Message-----
>> > > From: Coral-List <coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> On Behalf
>> Of
>> > > Steve Gittings - NOAA Federal via Coral-List
>> > > Sent: Friday, June 4, 2021 5:05 PM
>> > > To: Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net>
>> > > Cc: coral list <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>; Peter Sale <
>> > > sale at uwindsor.ca>
>> > > Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Dendrogyra
>> > >
>> > > Steve - I wonder if the main reasons behind our failure to save coral
>> > > reefs include 1) the geographic scale of the problems, 2) the need for
>> > > multinational cooperation to achieve results, 3) the unwillingness of
>> > > enough of us to change our lifestyle, and 4) the reluctance of those
>> with
>> > > real power to effect changes in sectors causing substantial harm at
>> large
>> > > scales.  These seem to be much greater challenges than any barriers
>> > caused
>> > > by what are mostly esoteric disagreements among scientists.  To me,
>> those
>> > > seem small in comparison. I actually believe the science community
>> would
>> > > agree on most of the measures that should be taken to protect healthy
>> > reefs
>> > > and promote recovery in others, and we need to continue to advocate
>> for
>> > > those.  My fear is that the existing social and political status quo
>> > > (meaning each, and all of us) is preventing change at scales needed to
>> > see
>> > > results.  I truly hope we can overcome that.
>> > >
>> > > Steve
>> > >
>> > > On Fri, Jun 4, 2021 at 8:49 AM Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net>
>> > wrote:
>> > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Steve,
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Mine was just a visceral reaction to the proposition that the
>> tragedy
>> > > > befalling coral reefs could be characterized as an opportunity by
>> > > > some, financial or otherwise was how it was put. That aside, how can
>> > > > we ever expect long term solutions to materialize if they are not
>> > > > being universally prioritized within the coral science community?  I
>> > > > mean, I keep hearing what has become a slogan on this list “We all
>> know
>> > > what we must do . . .
>> > > > It’s time to speak with one voice”, but apparently there is
>> something
>> > > > keeping that one voice in check. Perhaps your analysis explains it
>> > best.
>> > > > After all, we should acknowledge that these undercurrents exist. I
>> > > > think the bottom line is that the coral science community has become
>> > > > somewhat polarized - encompassing more than one vision of “success”.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Steve Mussman
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > On 6/2/21, 2:40 PM, Steve Gittings - NOAA Federal
>> > > > <steve.gittings at noaa.gov>
>> > > > wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > I didn't say anything about giving up.  I'm suggesting that some
>> > > > places may have to face a near-term reality that none of us would
>> wish
>> > > on anyone.
>> > > > Failure of ecosystem services.  It doesn't help them in the short
>> term
>> > > > if we overlook that possibility.  While long-term solutions are
>> > > > obviously needed soon, I'm suggesting we also need to prepare for
>> > > > significant changes on much shorter time frames.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > On Wed, Jun 2, 2021 at 1:06 PM Steve Mussman via Coral-List <
>> > > > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > . . . “I think it would help to consider a world where failure
>> > > > actually IS an option”.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > I’m still trying to wrap my head around this concept.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > How can we possibly continue to envision or even maintain any hope
>> for
>> > > > implementing the changes needed to save coral reefs from the
>> continued
>> > > > downward spiral if coral scientists have given up and moved on to
>> > > > “instead recognize that with impending disaster comes opportunity,
>> > > > whether financial or otherwise”.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > So, what does this say about the prospects of “saving” what remains
>> of
>> > > > the world’s coral reefs?
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Oh, right, that’s where recognizing opportunity comes into play.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Steve
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > On 5/31/21, 12:46 PM, Steve Gittings - NOAA Federal via Coral-List <
>> > > > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Bill,
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > We each have opinions and concerns about political will and the
>> > > > likelihood
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > of seeing changes on the scale needed to save reefs from continued
>> > loss.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > But while people valiantly try to turn things around using existing
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > socio-political approaches, I think it would help to consider a
>> world
>> > > > where
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > failure actually IS an option.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Let's objectively imagine a collective future when people and
>> > > > economies
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > that now depend on reefs have none. The science community knows the
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > resource and ecosystem service consequences, and I think we would
>> > > > agree
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > that it is our role to make sure those are clearly communicated - as
>> > > > you
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > say, "speak with one voice." But to make progress with those whose
>> > > > work
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > has changed the world during past crises, including corporations,
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > philanthropists, and yes, politicians, we need to resist ascribing
>> > > > blame
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > (that's not directed at your message, which did not do that). Few
>> are
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > motivated by being blamed. Problem-solvers - even those that may
>> have
>> > > > some
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > culpability - instead recognize that with impending disaster comes
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > opportunity, whether financial or otherwise. I believe our priority
>> as
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > scientists should be to empower them with awareness, constructive
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > information, and advice.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > As reefs disappear, new food production, distribution, and financing
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > systems will be needed to support the importation of protein,
>> > > > construction
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > of coastal and offshore aquaculture facilities and artificial reefs,
>> > > > and
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > perhaps expansion and diversification of terrestrial agriculture.
>> New
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > infrastructure will be needed to deal with nuisance flooding,
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > increased coastal erosion, transportation safety, utilities, energy
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > production, and disaster response. And training will have to be
>> > > > supported
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > and promoted to prepare people with new skills that synchronize with
>> > > > the
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > transition. We need corporate and government leaders and
>> > > > philanthropists
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > to recognize that these needs are not only opportunities that could
>> > > > bolster
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > tourism-based economies, but alternatively, could support the
>> > > > transition
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > away from them. Effective diversification planning could accomplish
>> > both.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Few coral reef scientists work directly in these areas, but we know
>> > > > how we
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > got here and how ecosystems might respond to many of the changes.
>> So,
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > while none of us prefer a future without coral reefs, and while we
>> > > > continue
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > to fight for other solutions, we have a responsibility to consider
>> our
>> > > > role
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > if we fail to protect or restore coral reefs.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Steve
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > On Mon, May 31, 2021 at 9:17 AM William Precht via Coral-List <
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > To be blunt - my point was while we are bickering about whether
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > *Dendrogyra* was
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > or not it was an important reef builder and the importance of
>> losing
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > individual species even if they were always rare - we are missing
>> > > > > the
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > bigger picture. In the last four decades we have watched reef
>> after
>> > > > > reef
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > go up in flames. Some due to local causes but most to to
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > overarching regional and global issues associated with global
>> > > > > climate
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > change. *Dendrogyra cylindrus* is nothing more than a bellwether
>> > > > > species
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > that is giving us a glimpse of the future. .Dendrogyra is a
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > beautiful iconic species and seeing a giant colony on a dive is
>> awe
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > inspiring. I remember making a dive in the Florida Keys to a site
>> > > > > known
>> > > > as
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > the "Pillar Forest." There were over 200 columns at this one site!
>> > > > > They
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > are now ALL gone - dead from a variety of causes - but the main
>> and
>> > > > > final
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > blow was from SCTLD.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > People have been talking about reefs as being like "canaries in a
>> > > > > coal
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > mine" - well that canary has a very bad case of COPD and it's
>> > > > > getting
>> > > > worse
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > day by day. This week the average CO2 concentration at the Mauna
>> Loa
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > Observatory was 419.02 ppm. In 2009 Veron et al. wrote a
>> manuscript
>> > > > > of
>> > > > the
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > need to maintain CO2 concentrations below 350 ppm for the future
>> > > > > survival
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > of coral reef ecosystems. That number came from a quote by Dr.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > James Hansen during testimony to the US Congress where he stated
>> “If
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which
>> > > > civilization
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate
>> > > > > evidence
>> > > > and
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced …
>> to
>> > > > > at
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > most 350 ppm.” The math is pretty simple - we are going in the
>> wrong
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > direction. We all know what we must do - the question is do we
>> have
>> > > > > the
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > political will to make the changes necessary. My note was a call
>> to
>> > > > > the
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > 10,000 people that are as passionate as coral reefs as I am that
>> > > > > exchange
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > ideas on this Coral-List serve. It's time to speak with one voice.
>> > > > > We
>> > > > need
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > to be heard. We can make a difference. The alternative - failing
>> > > > > (which
>> > > > we
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > are doing quite admirably) - is not an option.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > WFP
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > Veron, J.E., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Lenton, T.M., Lough, J.M., Obura,
>> > > > > D.O.,
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > Pearce-Kelly, P.A.U.L., Sheppard, C.R., Spalding, M.,
>> > > > > Stafford-Smith,
>> > > > M.G.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > and Rogers, A.D., 2009. The coral reef crisis: The critical
>> > > > > importance
>> > > > of<
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > 350 ppm CO2. *Marine pollution bulletin*, *58*(10), pp.1428-1436.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 9:38 AM Dennis Hubbard > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > Bill makes excellent points, but we always return to the same
>> > > issue....
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > is
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > the loss of "species X "the problem to be addressed or just the
>> > > > symptom.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > Yes, this is a unique species, and saving it is a worthwhile
>> > > > > > endeavor
>> > > > for
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > this and many other reasons. Having agreed, I remain concerned
>> > > > > > that
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > success
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > on this front will lead some to be satisfied.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > Denny
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > On Fri, May 28, 2021 at 12:36 PM William Precht via Coral-List <
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> The manuscript that started this thread on the coral- list was
>> an
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> excellent, open-access manuscript by Neely et al. Rapid
>> > > > > >> Population
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Decline of the Pillar Coral Dendrogyra cylindrus Along the
>> > > > > >> Florida
>> > > > Reef
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Tract
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Front. Mar. Sci. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.656515
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> It should be read by all There are two main punch lines. The
>> > > > > >> first is
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> that this species has been rendered functionally extinct
>> > > > > >> (extirpated)
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> throughout Florida. The second is that the main cause was stony
>> > > > > >> coral
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> tissue loss disease (SCTLD). This species is highly susceptible
>> > > > > >> to
>> > > > this
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> emergent disease as are the three other genera in its family -
>> > > > > >> the
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Meandrinidae. All species in this family and are highly
>> > > > > >> susceptible to
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> SCTLD. On many reefs where the disease has run it course you
>> > > > > >> can’t
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > find a
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> single member of this family. No Meandrina, no Dendrogyra, no
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Dichocoenia,
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> no Eusmilia. So the story goes much further than just pillar
>> > > > > >> coral. We
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> may be looking at the loss of an entire coral family in a short
>> > > > window -
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> and this coral family is only extant in the Caribbean.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> If this doesn’t serve as a wake-up call I don’t know what will.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Clearly losing more than 50% of the corals on the GBR due to
>> mass
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> bleaching
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> events in 2015-2016 did not cause a sea change in policy - not
>> in
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Australia
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> - not globally. For most it’s been business as usual.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> I’m getting sick and tired of writing and reading coral
>> > > > > >> obituaries. In
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > my
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> 40+ years of studying coral reefs I have watched my three
>> > > > > >> 40+ favorite
>> > > > reefs
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> burn before my very eyes and the reefs that lie at the door
>> step
>> > > > > >> of
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > where
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> I
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> live are suffering the same fate.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> The coral-list has a voice of 10,000 people that love coral
>> reefs
>> > > > > >> -
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > let’s
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> use that voice to make a difference. Time really is running
>> out.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Bill
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> On Thu, May 27, 2021 at 9:38 PM Peter Sale via Coral-List <
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > Hi listers,
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > I've been following the comments re the essential extirpation
>> > > > > >> > of
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > Dendrogyra in Florida waters. The fact that this is not a
>> major
>> > > > > >> > reef
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > builder (Gene is correct) is beside the point from my
>> > perspective.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Here is
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > a monotypic species that looks like it may be on the way out
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > throughout
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> its
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > range, and certainly in a large portion of it. (I'm being
>> > > > pessimistic
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> but
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > perhaps realistic in predicting total extinction.) The
>> > > > > >> > biodiversity
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> loss
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > is great. This is a coral (and I am definitely NOT a coral
>> > > > > >> > expert)
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> that is
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > phenotypically quite distinctive. It has one of, if not the
>> > > > > >> > most
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > well-connected nerve nets leading to a conspicuous flash when
>> > > > > >> > all
>> > > > the
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > polyps retract in unison following a disturbance. God only
>> > > > > >> > knows
>> > > > what
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > other special skills it has tucked amongst its tentacles.
>> From
>> > > > > >> > an
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > evolutionary point of view, its loss is a greater loss than
>> the
>> > > > > >> > loss
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > of
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > many other coral species. My fear is that we are going to
>> have
>> > > > > >> > to
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> become
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > used to such losses. Let's a) strive not to let the losses
>> > > > > >> > becom
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > e un-noticed and routine, and b) use such losses to
>> highlight,
>> > > > > >> > and
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > make
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > 'personal', what it means for a reef to gradually lose its
>> > > > > >> > species
>> > > > and
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > cease to be a reef. Getting people to relate to what is
>> > > > > >> > happening,
>> > > > to
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > actually feel what is happening, may be the only way to
>> rescue
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > humanity
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > from turning the planet into a wasteland, starting with the
>> > reefs.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > Peter Sale
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > www.petersalebooks.com
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > @PeterSale3
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > See my latest book at
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> https://www.amazon.com/Coral-Reefs-Majestic-Realms-under/dp/0300253834
>> > > >
>> /ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=coral+reefs+peter+sale&qid=1622149307&sr
>> > > > =8-1
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > _______________________________________________
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > Coral-List mailing list
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> --
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> William F. Precht
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the
>> only
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > choice
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> you have”
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Bob Marley
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> "Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on
>> when
>> > > > > >> you
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> don't
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> have the strength."
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >>
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Theodore Roosevelt
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> _______________________________________________
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Coral-List mailing list
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >> https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > --
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > Dennis Hubbard - Emeritus Professor: Dept of Geology-Oberlin
>> > > > > > College
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > Oberlin OH 44074
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > (440) 935-4014
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > * "When you get on the wrong train.... every stop is the wrong
>> > > > > > stop"*
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > > Benjamin Stein: "*Ludes, A Ballad of the Drug and the Dream*"
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > --
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > William F. Precht
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only
>> > > > > choice
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > you have”
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > Bob Marley
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > "Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when
>> > > > > you
>> > > > don't
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > have the strength."
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > Theodore Roosevelt
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > _______________________________________________
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > Coral-List mailing list
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > --
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Dr. Steve Gittings, Science Coordinator
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > 1305 East West Hwy., N/ORM62
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Silver Spring, MD 20910
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > (240) 533-0708 (w), (301) 529-1854 (c1), (301) 821-0857 (c2)
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > *Follow National Marine Sanctuaries *
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > *and our Earth is Blue Campaign
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > on**:*
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > [image:
>> http://www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries]
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > [image:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > http://twitter.com/sanctuaries] [image:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > http://www.youtube.com/user/sanctuaries]
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > [image:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/onms/]
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > [image:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > http://feeds.feedburner.com/NoaaNationalMarineSanctuaryNews]
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > [image:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > http://pinterest.com/nmsanctuaries/national-marine-sanctuaries/]
>> > [image:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > http://instagram.com/noaasanctuaries]
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > _______________________________________________
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Coral-List mailing list
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > _______________________________________________
>> > > >
>> > > > Coral-List mailing list
>> > > >
>> > > > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> > > >
>> > > > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > --
>> > > >
>> > > > Dr. Steve Gittings, Science Coordinator
>> > > >
>> > > > NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
>> > > >
>> > > > 1305 East West Hwy., N/ORM62
>> > > >
>> > > > Silver Spring, MD  20910
>> > > >
>> > > > (240) 533-0708 (w), (301) 529-1854 (c1), (301) 821-0857 (c2)
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >  [image: earth-is-blue-logo-shadow.png]
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > Follow National Marine Sanctuaries <http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/>
>> > > >
>> > > > and our Earth is Blue Campaign
>> > > > <http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/earthisblue> on:
>> > > >
>> > > > [image: fb.png]
>> > > > <http://www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries>
>> > [image:
>> > > > twitter.png] <http://twitter.com/sanctuaries>  [image: youtube.png]
>> > > > <http://www.youtube.com/user/sanctuaries>  [image: flickr.png]
>> > > > <http://www.flickr.com/photos/onms/>  [image: rss.png]
>> > > > <http://feeds.feedburner.com/NoaaNationalMarineSanctuaryNews>
>> [image:
>> > > > pinterest.png]  [image: instagram.png]
>> > > > <http://instagram.com/noaasanctuaries>
>> > > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > --
>> > > Dr. Steve Gittings, Science Coordinator
>> > > NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
>> > > 1305 East West Hwy., N/ORM62
>> > > Silver Spring, MD  20910
>> > > (240) 533-0708 (w), (301) 529-1854 (c1), (301) 821-0857 (c2)
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > *Follow National Marine Sanctuaries <http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/>*
>> *and
>> > > our Earth is Blue Campaign <
>> http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/earthisblue>
>> > > on**:*
>> > > [image: http://www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries
>> ]
>> > > <http://www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries>
>> [image:
>> > > http://twitter.com/sanctuaries] <http://twitter.com/sanctuaries>
>> > [image:
>> > > http://www.youtube.com/user/sanctuaries]
>> > > <http://www.youtube.com/user/sanctuaries>  [image:
>> > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/onms/]
>> > > <http://www.flickr.com/photos/onms/>  [image:
>> > > http://feeds.feedburner.com/NoaaNationalMarineSanctuaryNews]
>> > > <http://feeds.feedburner.com/NoaaNationalMarineSanctuaryNews>
>> [image:
>> > > http://pinterest.com/nmsanctuaries/national-marine-sanctuaries/]
>> > [image:
>> > > http://instagram.com/noaasanctuaries] <
>> > > http://instagram.com/noaasanctuaries>
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > Coral-List mailing list
>> > > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> > > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > Coral-List mailing list
>> > > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> > > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Dr. Steve Gittings, Science Coordinator
>> > NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
>> > 1305 East West Hwy., N/ORM62
>> > Silver Spring, MD  20910
>> > (240) 533-0708 (w), (301) 529-1854 (c1), (301) 821-0857 (c2)
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > *Follow National Marine Sanctuaries <http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/>*
>> > *and our Earth is Blue Campaign
>> > <http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/earthisblue> on**:*
>> > [image: http://www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries]
>> > <http://www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries>
>> [image:
>> > http://twitter.com/sanctuaries] <http://twitter.com/sanctuaries>
>> [image:
>> > http://www.youtube.com/user/sanctuaries]
>> > <http://www.youtube.com/user/sanctuaries>  [image:
>> > http://www.flickr.com/photos/onms/]
>> > <http://www.flickr.com/photos/onms/>  [image:
>> > http://feeds.feedburner.com/NoaaNationalMarineSanctuaryNews]
>> > <http://feeds.feedburner.com/NoaaNationalMarineSanctuaryNews>  [image:
>> > http://pinterest.com/nmsanctuaries/national-marine-sanctuaries/]
>> [image:
>> > http://instagram.com/noaasanctuaries] <
>> > http://instagram.com/noaasanctuaries>
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Coral-List mailing list
>> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> > https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>> _______________________________________________
>> Coral-List mailing list
>> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> https://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>
>
>
> --
> Dr. Steve Gittings, Science Coordinator
> NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
> 1305 East West Hwy., N/ORM62
> Silver Spring, MD  20910
> (240) 533-0708 (w), (301) 529-1854 (c1), (301) 821-0857 (c2)
>
>
>
> *Follow National Marine Sanctuaries <http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/>*
> *and our Earth is Blue Campaign
> <http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/earthisblue> on**:*
> [image: http://www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries]
> <http://www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries>  [image:
> http://twitter.com/sanctuaries] <http://twitter.com/sanctuaries>  [image:
> http://www.youtube.com/user/sanctuaries]
> <http://www.youtube.com/user/sanctuaries>  [image:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/onms/] <http://www.flickr.com/photos/onms/>  [image:
> http://feeds.feedburner.com/NoaaNationalMarineSanctuaryNews]
> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/NoaaNationalMarineSanctuaryNews>  [image:
> http://pinterest.com/nmsanctuaries/national-marine-sanctuaries/]  [image:
> http://instagram.com/noaasanctuaries]
> <http://instagram.com/noaasanctuaries>
>