Mahidol University International Demonstration School

Academic Year 2021-2022

Capstone Project

Student’s Knowledge and Perception of Coral Reefs

By

Varit Suriyasomboon (6361089)

Section 1101

Presented to

Sorawit Amornwutiroj
Abstract

The majority of people believed they understood very little about coral reefs, and their

expertise was often obtained from a prior study of Environmental Science. Most respondents

mentioned coral reefs in terms of food supply or habitat, with just 5.3% unaware of any

advantages and 5.8% believing coral reefs are insignificant. Respondents discussed the value

of coral reefs as an element of a region/country or as a source of tourism and future generations.

Coastal conservation, visual attractiveness, and leisure were rarely cited as benefits. Pollution,

climate change, and hazards to fishing were the most often identified threats. Some mentioned

human actions, oil spills, or weather conditions, while only a few were ignorant of any dangers.

While most respondents agreed that coral reefs should be conserved, there were varying

opinions on who is accountable and whether damaging conduct is the consequence of a lack of

knowledge or care. Numerous steps are being taken internationally to safeguard the coral reefs'

survival. Through the use of a questionary survey, this study investigates the knowledge and

perceptions of high school students in Thailand on coral reefs. Additionally, it will make

recommendations for resolving the coral reef situation.

Introduction

Corals are members of the class Anthozoa and comprise the phylum Cnidaria's largest

class of creatures (NOAA, 2019). They are among the world's most diverse marine ecosystems,

as well as the most complex in terms of species interactions. Healthy coral reefs sustain one-

fourth of the ocean's fish population (NOAA, 2019). They provide a sanctuary for fish and

other creatures seeking shelter, sustenance, reproducing, and raising their young (Ross, 2018).

Coral reefs also provide essential resources and services to millions of people (NOAA, 2019).

However, reefs are rapidly deteriorating, with certain reefs dying at a faster rate than others
during the last decade (IUCN, 2021). Pressures created by humans, such as fishing, coastal

development, and pollution, along with rising ocean temperatures, are diminishing coral

abundance, restricting biodiversity, and compromising the ecological services provided by

reefs (IUCN, 2021). One of the primary reasons for the degradation of coral reefs is a lack of

public awareness. Due to a lack of awareness regarding corals, people may inadvertently harm

them. Thus, the goal of this study is to determine high school students' perception and

comprehension of coral reefs, as well as their awareness of the present status and threats to

coral reefs by conducting a questionnaire to examine their responses.

Coral reefs

Corals are multicellular organisms of the Cnidaria phylum. They are invertebrates

classified under the Anthozoa class. Scleractinians are principally responsible for developing

and growing reef structures (US Department of Commerce, 2007). Scleractinians are

predominantly colonial creatures made up of hundreds to thousands of polyps. Each polyp is

composed of three unique tissue layers: an epidermis, an inner layer of cells covering the

gastrovascular canal, and a layer in between called the mesoglea (EPA, n.d.). Like other

cnidarians, corals have a kind of symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that live in symbiosis

with the coral (EPA, n.d.). Coral provides a safe habitat for algae and provide the components

essential for photosynthesis, which are Carbon dioxide and inorganic nutrients such as nitrates

and phosphates. In exchange, the algae help the coral remove waste and replenish them with

organic photosynthesis products (US Department of Commerce, 2007). Zooxanthellae are a

crucial part of corals and their long-term health (US Department of Commerce, 2007).
Importance of Coral reefs

Coral reefs are the world's most diversified ecosystems. While coral reefs occupy less

than 1% of the ocean bottom, they provide habitat for more than a quarter of all marine fish

species and a broad variety of other marine organisms (Ross, 2018). Furthermore, reefs provide

a variety of ecological advantages, including subsistence food, flood protection, and economic

support for the fishing and tourism industries. As a result, the extinction of these species will

have economic, social, and health repercussions (Montano, 2020). Coral reefs directly support

an estimated 500 million people worldwide, the majority of whom live in poverty, according

to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List Index. Additionally, a 2014

study published in the journal Global Environmental Change estimates that coral reefs are

worth US $1 trillion in social, cultural, and economic terms, while a 2015 WWF report

estimates that the loss of reef ecosystem services due to climate change will cost the United

States $500 billion or more annually by 2100. (IUCN, 2021). Apart from their monetary value,

coral reefs serve as indicators of the global environment's health (IUCN, 2021). They serve as

a cautionary tale about what may happen to less sensitive ecosystems if climate change is not

addressed now (Cabral, 2018).

Threats to coral reefs

The most serious long-term threats are caused by human-induced changes in the

environment, which result in coral death from bleaching and newly emerging diseases as a

result of the increased heat and irradiation, as well as a decline in calcification as a result of

increased carbon dioxide (Reporters, 2018). Ocean acidification, which occurs because of seas

absorbing massive amounts of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from fossil fuel

combustion, impairs coral's ability to produce the calcium carbonate exoskeletons that protect
them (NOAA, 2020). On a smaller, local scale, overfishing and destructive fisheries, coastal

development, nutrient enrichment, increased runoff and sedimentation, and the introduction of

alien species have all resulted in phase shifts away from corals (Yeemin, 2009). Additionally,

cyanide fishing and trawler overfishing have the potential to rapidly degrade a 1,000-year-old

coral reef (Yeemin, 2006). Pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture, as well as oil and

gasoline, sewage discharge, and debris from eroding landscapes, all function as inhibitors of

coral growth, threatening the complicated relationships between the plants, coral, and other

species that make up the reef ecosystem (Rujivanarom, 2018). Bernhard Riegl, a professor of

Marine and Environmental Science, estimates that 20% of the world's reefs have been gone,

and another 26% are under grave risk. While understanding about coral reef protection has

advanced, its practical application has frequently lagged.

Coral bleaching

Concentrating on coral bleaching, human activities such as fossil fuel combustion,

deforestation, and land use change have significantly impacted the atmospheric concentrations

of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and methane (NOAA, 2021). Global warming

and ocean acidification are the outcome of these changes, and both represent serious risks to

coral reef ecosystems, primarily through rising heat stress and ocean acidity, as well as

diminishing carbonate ion concentrations (NOAA, 2021). Increased mass coral bleaching,

lower calcification rates, and a variety of other changes to minor but crucial physiological and

ecological processes have occurred on coral reefs (Sully, 2019). When the temperature of the

world's oceans rises as a result of global warming, coral polyps release the zooxanthellae on

which they depend for existence. This would result in the phenomenon referred to as coral

bleaching (Douglas, 2003).

 Coral bleaching occurs when the symbiotic link between corals and zooxanthellae

breaks down, causing corals to lose their colors and their symbionts to have a pale, bleached

appearance (Douglas, 2003). Bleaching can be beneficial or detrimental to corals, depending

on the species, geographic location, historical circumstances, and local and regional

consequences (Sully, 2019). However, most of the time, bleaching is harmful to coral. It does

not kill them directly as coral can still survive after bleaching but they will be more subjected

to stress and mortality. Coral bleaching episodes frequently result in the erasure of vast coral

communities. For three years in a row, coral reefs globally have been afflicted by major

bleaching outbreaks. Unprecedented bleaching has occurred on iconic reefs such as Australia's

Great Barrier Reef and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in the United States, with disastrous

repercussions (Sully, 2019).

Between 1980 and 2020, the Global Coral Bleaching Database (GCBD) was

established, containing 34,846 records of coral bleaching in 14,405 sites across 93 nations (van

Woesik, 2022). The GCBD captures vital data on coral bleaching at the time of the survey, as

well as site exposure, distance from land, mean turbidity, cyclone frequency, and a suite of sea-

surface temperature indicators (van Woesik, 2022). Another research found that since pre-

industrial times, manmade greenhouse gas emissions have led in a 1°C increase in global

surface temperature (Putra, 2018). This has resulted in unprecedented mass coral bleaching

episodes, which, along with growing local pressures, have made coral reefs one of the world's

most fragile ecosystems (Putra, 2018).

Solutions made globally

Worldwide awareness of coral reef threats, political commitment, and financial

resources to mobilize a global response are critical, but insufficient to ensure their survival.
Numerous actions are being taken, including the Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to keep

global average temperature increases well below 2°C over pre-industrial levels and to pursue

efforts to keep temperature increases below 1.5°C (Hoegh-Guldberg, 2018). Carbon dioxide

levels in the atmosphere should decrease if the agreement is fully implemented. This increases

the probability of a reef surviving and the success of other reef rescue efforts (Gibbens, 2022).

Other measures to protect coral reefs, such as addressing local pollution and destructive fishing

practices, would be ineffective in the absence of a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

(Hoegh-Guldberg, 2018). All subsequent global agreements, such as the Sustainable

Development Goals, must adhere to the Paris Agreement's objectives (Gordon, 2019). For

instance, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 13 underlines the critical nature of fast action

to mitigate the effects of climate change. Furthermore, existing economic institutions must be

adjusted, as well as a shift toward circular economic activity. SDG 8 (inclusive and sustainable

economic growth) and SDG 12 (inclusive and sustainable consumption and production) place

a premium on these sustainable consumption and production activities (Gordon, 2019).

Economic systems must also rapidly shift to a low-carbon future if global temperatures are to

be reduced. A break with standard economic thinking should include an appraisal of the

benefits provided by coral reefs, which have been largely ignored by mainstream business and

finance (Gibbens, 2020). As a result, coral reef conservation and restoration should be

considered as an asset that requires long-term investment, and funds should be directed into

cutting-edge biology research, such as genetic selection of corals that can withstand rising

global temperatures, to ensure their longevity.

Summary of findings

The methodology was designed to achieve results from high school students in

Thailand. The survey was structured as a three-part questionnaire, with the first section
requesting information about the student's gender and past studies in Environmental Science.

The second portion of the survey will question students to self-assess their knowledge about

coral reefs and rate how much they believe they know through four multiple choice questions

and two checkboxes questions. The final section of the survey will ask for their thoughts on

coral reef importance and protection using two multiple choice questions and one short answer

question.

A total of 207 responses (Table 1) were collected after a period of three months, and

respondents were grouped into categories by gender and prior studies related to environmental

science to analyze the results. Of the 207 responders, 75 students, or 36%, were male, 111

students, or 54%, were female, and 21 students, or 10%, preferred not to reveal their gender.

When asked if they had previously studied Environmental Science, only 37 had done so,

accounting for less than one-fifth of the population (17.9%). On the other hand, 170 pupils, or

82.1% of the students, answered that they had never studied Environmental Science before.

Data from the multiple choices in the second section of the survey (Table 2) suggests

students generally believed they knew very little about coral reefs, with nearly half (48.8%) of

them responding that their knowledge of coral reefs is low. This is in accordance with the data

from the first section, as most of the respondents had not studied Environmental Science before,

so it is likely that they had no prior knowledge of coral reefs. Moreover, those who responded

that their knowledge is medium contributed to three-tenths of the population, and 12.6% of

students reported having no prior knowledge of coral reefs, followed by 8.7% who reported

having a high level of understanding of coral reefs.

When asked about their opinions of coral reef conditions (Table 2), more than half

(53.6%) of the students believed the current condition is poor. Furthermore, 18.4% believed

the condition of coral reefs is fine, while 3.9% believed it is in good condition. However, 15.5%
think it varies from location to location, and less than one-tenth (8.7%) were unsure of the

condition. When asked whether the public is educated properly on coral reefs, 54% responded

that the public is not well educated enough, followed by 23% who believed the public is

adequately informed and 23% who were unsure. When asked for students’ opinions on coral

reefs' change, the majority (65.2%) responded that coral reefs are deteriorating. On the other

hand, 14.5% believed are not changing, whereas 10.6% thought they are improving. Lastly,

slightly less than one-tenth (9.7%) were unsure of their answers.

According to data from the second phase of the survey's checklists, respondents picked

at least one reason for the significance of coral reefs (Table 3), with the majority (64.3%), or

133 children, selecting a source of food for fish as the primary factor. Shelter/habitat for fish

was the second most often reported issue, with 118 selections or 57% of students. Tourism and

Part of the country are the next two choices, with 97 students choosing each, accounting for

46.9 percent of the total. Additionally, 86 students (41.5%) agreed that coral reefs are critical

for future generations. Students seldom recognize the importance of coral reefs in aesthetic

values, with just 37.7% of students (78 students) picking this choice. Protect coast/prevent

erosion and recreation were even less chosen, with just 77 (37.2%) and 65 (31.4%) students

picking these factors, respectively. Surprisingly, 12 students (5.8%) said corals were

unimportant, while 11 students (5.3%) indicated they were doubtful or did not know.

Lastly, when analyzing data from the third section, the majority of students believed

coral reefs should be protected, but there were varying opinions as to who is responsible for

this (Table 4). 160 students believed coral reefs need protection, which contributed to more

than three-quarters of the population (77.3%). In contrast, 15%, or 31 students, argued the

contrary, while 7.7%, or 16 students, were unsure whether reefs should be protected or not. As

for who should be responsible for coral reef protection, more than half (59.4%), or 123 students,

agreed that it is everyone's responsibility. On the other hand, 10.6%, or 22 students, believed
the government should take charge of reef protection. Furthermore, there are 17 (8.2%), 17

(8.2%), and 16 (7.7%) students who mentioned those who live near oceans, marine biologists,

and environmentalists as important figures in reef protection, sequentially.

When asked why corals are being threatened, mixed opinions were received among

respondents. Some believe coral reefs are degrading because of human actions, such as

touching coral or breaking away portions of them. Tourism, carelessness, and lack of

knowledge were also brought up by students as factors that led to reefs destruction. Others,

however, were adamant that people are educated enough and aware of the consequences of

their actions but argued that stronger enforcement is required rather than education. Some also

mentioned that people simply do not understand the benefits of coral reefs and are ignorant in

caring for their well-being. Other factors such as climate change, global warming, and pollution

were also mentioned by students, with several of them mentioning the effects of human

activities which led to global warming and climate change.

Table 1. First section: Student’s surveyed and demographic characteristics of respondents by gender and
prior knowledge of environmental science

Number of
Gender % Prior Knowledge %
students
Yes No Yes No
Male 75 36 18 57 24 76
Female 111 54 15 96 13.51 86.49
Prefer not to say 21 10 4 17 19.05 80.95
Total 207 100 37 170 17.9 82.1

Table 2. Second section (Multiple choices): Student’s self-estimated knowledge of coral reefs

Knowledge % Condition % Education % Change %

High 8.7 Good 3.9 Yes 23 Improving 10.6
Medium 30 Ok 18.4 No 54 Deteriorating 65.2
Low 48.8 Poor 53.6 Unsure 23 No change 14.5
None 12.6 Varies 15.5 Unsure 9.7
Unsure 8.7
Table 3. Second section (Checkboxes): Student’s perception of the importance and threats of coral reefs

Number of Number of
Importance of coral reefs % Threats to coral reefs %
students students
Source of food for fish 133 64.3 Illegal/destructive fishing methods 109 52.7
Shelter/habitat for fish 118 57 Local pollution 123 59.4
It is part of the country 97 46.9 Strong waves and hurricanes 73 35.3
Protects coast/prevent erosion 77 37.2 People stepping on coral 84 40.6
Aesthetic values 78 37.7 Too much fishing 81 39.1
Important for future generations 86 41.5 Sediment runoff 69 33.3
Recreation 65 31.4 Climate change 104 50.2
Tourism 97 46.9 Oil spills, stranded boats 88 42.5
They are not important 12 5.8 (Human) Population increase 80 38.6
Do not know 11 5.3 Inadequate sewer line 56 27.1
Corals turning white 64 30.9
Fishing of small fish 31 15
None, they are perfectly fine 39 18.8
Do not know 10 4.8

Table 4. Third section (Multiple choices): Student’s opinion on protection of coral reefs

Number of Who is responsible for protecting Number of

Should coral reefs be protected? % %
students coral reefs? students
Yes 160 77.3 Everyone 123 59.4
No 31 15 The government 22 10.6
Unsure 16 7.7 Those who live near oceans 17 8.2
Marine biologists 17 8.2
Environmentalists 16 7.7
Do not know 12 5.8

Recommendations

Not only the large-scale implementations stated above are critical for resolving the coral

degradation problem; local-scale activities within a smaller region or community are also

essential for coral reef protection and conservation. Our findings indicate that high school

students' knowledge and perceptions of coral reefs are connected to their education: those who

studied environmental science were thought to have a prior understanding of the subject. These

students will know the importance and threats of coral reefs and will be more aware of their
actions that can harm coral if they encounter one. On the other hand, students who have never

studied environmental science are more likely to be unaware of the importance of corals and

how seemingly innocuous activities, such as touching coral, can harm them. As a result, coral

education is critical for increasing public understanding of the importance and threats of coral

reefs.

Our first recommendation is to incorporate Environmental Science into school

curricula, ensuring that pupils have a thorough understanding of coral. While this study focused

on high school students' perspectives of coral reefs, we feel that all children, especially young

children, should be educated about coral reefs. This is to ensure that students retain this

information from an early age, much to how addition and subtraction are taught at a young age

as they are the fundamental principles of mathematics. Similarly, educating young children

about how to treat coral reefs, such as avoiding touching corals due to the potential for damage,

can help them remember and act differently in the future. We believe that if children are taught

critical knowledge about coral reefs at a young age, they will retain the information better. As

a result, maintaining an accurate understanding of coral will assist the community in the long

run by ensuring that future generations understand how to behave appropriately around them.

Our second advice is to raise awareness and educate those who work in areas that have

coral. This group includes fishermen, tourists, and residents who live near coral reef

ecosystems. We believe that these individuals are highly prone to coral degradation because

they live near coral reefs. Those responsible for possible coral reef harm usually did not see a

relationship between their actions and the coral reef's repercussions. Additionally, several were

unaware of the consequences of their lifestyle. As a result, teaching these individuals can assist

in resolving coral loss issues. One of our solutions is to urge students to volunteer to teach

fishermen and residents of these areas about the value of coral and the implications of particular

acts. Additionally, governments or organizations involved should educate tourists who come
to view coral reefs either via snorkeling or scuba diving. They should provide information on

proper conduct, such as avoiding touching coral, avoiding using certain types of sunscreens, or

not littering in the ocean. There should also be a penalty for individuals who violate the

regulations. This can be accomplished by charging them or prohibiting them from visiting coral

reefs for a specified length of time.

Climate change is one of the major causes of coral bleaching and mortality. Therefore,

actions should be taken to approach the issue of climate change as well as global warming and

pollution. Conserving energy, limiting the use of fossil fuels, and conserving water can all help

reduce the likelihood of global warming and climate change. Students can launch campaigns

to raise awareness of the issue among members of society. Additionally, students can engage

in public cleanups across the city and on nearby beaches to contribute to the reduction of

garbage in the environment. They could also alert officials and encourage them to implement

better regulations. For example, waste disposal should be properly controlled to minimize

liquid waste being disposed in the oceans. While it may be impossible for students to make a

difference on a broader, global scale, there are still various alternatives available to assist in

resolving the issue on a local scale. We feel that to decrease community pollution, residents

should be encouraged to sort their garbage. This may be accomplished by establishing distinct

garbage containers for different types of waste, such as organic, recyclable, and non-recyclable

waste. Incorrect disposal of waste could be punished through charging fees to encourage

citizens to start the habit of distributing waste. These waste then should be distributed and

disposed correctly to avoid contamination in the environment. Glassware, cloths, and other

recycle materials should be transferred to recycle stations to be reused.

Conclusion

Lack of knowledge and concern both contributed to the deterioration of coral reefs.

Survey data suggests that students who did not study Environmental Science had mixed

opinions regarding coral reefs. While some of their perceptions were correct, most of them

remained inaccurate. Therefore, our data demonstrate how few people are knowledgeable about

coral, which leads to the destruction of coral reefs: individuals are unaware that their activities

might affect coral reefs. Numerous organizations from across the world have begun to pay

attention to coral concerns and are collaborating to find a solution. While these solutions are

being implemented on a global scale, further actions may be carried out on a smaller scale by

students and public officials: The government can make Environmental Science a core subject

to instill a sense of relevance in future generations, tourists and people who live close to coral

habitats should also be educated about coral, and students may help raise awareness about

energy and water conservation, waste distribution, and appropriate garbage disposal in order

to help prevent pollution and global warming.

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