Andros barrier reef

• Where is andros barrier reef located

  Located in the Bahamas, on the east coast of andros island and to the west of the capital city Nassau. Located between tropics and near equator.
• What is the interdependence of andros barrier reef

  1)Relies on the sea to be between 23-25 degrees. Must be found in clean, shallow water to allow sunlight into the ecosystem.

  2)Zooxanthellae harness the suns light, turn it into energy which provides nutrients to the coral

  3)In turn, the coral provides a home as well as waste which the zooxanthellae need to fertilise and grow

  4)fish excrete a dissolved form of nitrogen into the water, this is absorbed by the coral and algae

  5)humans utilise the fish for trade and food as well as tourism.
• what are the 3 main values to human and the planet for andros barrier reef

  Coastal protection, fish breeding grounds and tourism
• Why is coastal protection valued to humans and the planet

  The reef provides a natural form of coastal protection from the Atlantic Ocean. Coastal erosion is reduced where the shoreline is protected by the reef. The reef acts as a buffer absorbing wave energy before it can reach the shore.
• why are fish breeding grounds valued to humans and the planet

  The coral reef acts as a successful breeding ground and nursery for fish. The coral reef also encourages the growth of mangrove forests which are themselves important breeding grounds for fish. This helps repopulate fish stocks for human use.
• Why is tourism valued to humans and the planet

  The andros barrier reef is a world famous dive site. This is because the steep angle of the reef 'drop off' and its east facing orientation allow natural light penetration into the deep water. Tourism brings over $150 million a year for the local economy and supports employment for thousands of people.
• What are the 3 main threats to biodiversity

  overfishing, pollution and climate change
• why is overfishing a threat to biodiversity

  Commercial fishing and intense tourism can cause immense harm to the ecosystem, causing it to become unbalanced.
• Why is pollution a threat to biodiversity

  Silt causes the water to become cloudy restricting the penetration of sunlight used by zooxanthellae (algae) to photosynthesise.
• why is climate change a threat to biodiversity

  Higher water temperatures trigger a stress reaction in corals causing them to expel the zooxanthellae. This has a huge effect on nutrient flows and causes the coral to become bleached, turning white, eventually the coral dies.
• What are the 4 main management strategies in andros barrier reef

  West side national park, crab replenishment reserve, exuma cays land and sea park and general management.
• what is the west side national park management strategy

  Protected area where controlled fishing and sponging is allowed in line with traditions, however, developments and overfishing are strictly controlled to limit human impact.
• what is the crab replenishment reserve management strategy

  Location where sustainable crab generations are produced in order to ensure there is a long term food source available whilst protecting carb reserves.
• What is the Exuma Cays land and sea park management strategy

  Coral nursery has been developed here to grow coral and then add it to the main reef, providing valuable resources for the coral reef ecosystem.
• what is the general management, management strategy

  20% of the coastline is protected and numerous conservation sites protected, this has resulted in andros being one of the healthiest reef sites in the world, suggesting management is effective.