In order to maintain the well-being of human populations, a wide diversity of physical and chemical provisions from both the global ecosystem, as well local ecosystems are required. Many of ecosystems that have yet to be explored to their full extent for these supports are the coral reef ecosystems, which are the most diverse ecosystems in the sea. “High diversity density gives rise to intense species competition and the subsequent organism capability to construct exotic defensive and offensive chemicals, many with pharmacological value” (Addey 228). Only about ten percent of reef biodiversity is known, and only a minor fraction of that ten percent has been explored for active compounds. Unfortunately, these coral reefs are facing several …show more content…
For example, the yield for ET743 is one gram per ton of tunicate, and harvesting tons and tons of these creatures is not biologically or economically feasible. The endangerment and extinction of any marine organism is heavily prevented for many reasons. These ecosystems need to be maintained or humankind will risk losing valuable species and their pharmaceutical potential, as well as fishing opportunities and other cultural and aesthetic values. About 90% of coral reef degradation is caused by humankind, and this results mostly from pollutants being dumped into these waters (Bellwood et al. 830). Even daily boating activities can cause the physical and chemical environment of the reefs to degrade, and once they degrade, most are unable to grow back. There are only a few that do manage to grow back, but, they are degrading faster than they can grow back. Many of the fishing facilities and private firms rely on the complex structure of coral reefs to protect their stock from the harsh environment of the open ocean, since many of the organisms with these unique compounds thrive amongst coral reefs and not in open ocean (Birkeland 365). There is also the risk of over harvestation, or overfishing, of certain species which would cause a disruption in ecosystems. One such example would be the decline of parrotfish after its main prey species was …show more content…
If these ecosystems disappear, large, irreversible biodiversity losses will occur around the world. This must be prevented even if the need for pharmaceutical research and development is increasing as human health standards increase with drug resistance and emerging, strains. “The world’s oceans are a storehouse of undiscovered new drugs and new products of many types including enzymes, agrochemicals, and gene products. It is our last major natural resource; we need to realize its importance and plan for the future” (Faulkner 135). Synthesis and aquaculture techniques must be utilized and improved in order to prevent the overharvest and degradation of coral reef ecosystems. If humans are able to do this successfully, then they can benefit from life-saving compounds that these amazing and complex creatures may provide. However, “The time scale of effective coral reef conservation and reef based drug development is beyond the supply and demand capabilities of the commercial world. An extraordinary international effort is required on a proportionally short time frame to bring together a mutually supportive effort to preserve and enhance the health of both human society and coral reef ecosystems” (Faulkner