Activity

1. Describe the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources.

A Renewable resource is one, typically naturally occurring, that can be
replenished as quickly as it is used up and can, in theory, last indefinitely. A Non-
Renewable resource on the other hand, describes one with natural or artificial origins
that have a limited supply and cannot be replenished within a suitable timespan.
2. Discuss three importance of coral reefs in the Caribbean.
i. Coral reefs are useful in that they help to build and sustain large marine
ecosystems that are biologically diverse. Coral reefs act as a natural
nursery as well as a feeding ground for various forms of marine life. The
biodiversity that coral reef ecosystems offer, allows them to recover from
most, if not any, environmental shocks that they might encounter.
ii. Coral reefs also act as a barrier, actively absorbing the impact of the
potentially destructive waves that gets to the Caribbeans beaches and
coastlines. This as they typically grow as large firm structures that are
anchored to a hard sea bed. Coral reefs also act as a secondary source of
sediment to repair and sustain the Caribbeans sand beaches, which in-
turn maintains the beachs resistive layer.
iii. Apart from building complex sustainable marine ecosystems for the sake
of sustaining marine life, Coral reefs also provide a vast supply of
natural resources that offers a source of wealth for people in the
Caribbean. Many tourists appreciate the beauty of coral reefs, spending
large sums to visit the Caribbean to experience them. Coral reefs also
support food fisheries, being a very valuable source for fish as well as
plant based foods.
b) Explain four ways in which coral reefs are being destroyed.
i. Global warming remains a great threat to coral reefs as the elevated
water temperatures encourages coral bleaching, this is where the algae
protecting as well as living within the coral is dissolved into the
surrounding water. Leaving the coral vulnerable
3. Currently, large areas of mangroves are being removed from one Caribbean
island in order to make room for industrial plants along the coast. Discuss the
impact this could have on the ecosystems along the coast (two impacts)