This past week, the Governor of Florida declared a State of Emergency along the Southwest Coast, responding to the natural and economic damage wrought by the toxic algal bloom. Many marine species have been killed and both the fishing and tourist industries are taking a hit.
But could there be a natural benefit from these algal blooms? Could they be important in marine ecosystems, thinning out populations, releasing nutrients and "re-setting" the regional web of life? After all, many other natural phenomena are deemed to be harmful or cruel from the human perspective.
On a selfish note, the red tide has cleared out much of the human population on Longboat Key and we almost have our condo complex to ourselves. Then again, one cannot help but wonder if this bloom, like those that occur on inland lakes and coastal bays, is aggravated by human activity. We pump a huge amount of nutritious effluent into our rivers and human-induced global warming will surely enhance algal blooms in the future. All of these issues are food for thought and it is best that we concentrate on protecting all natural ecosystems from pollution and climate change.
But could there be a natural benefit from these algal blooms? Could they be important in marine ecosystems, thinning out populations, releasing nutrients and "re-setting" the regional web of life? After all, many other natural phenomena are deemed to be harmful or cruel from the human perspective.
On a selfish note, the red tide has cleared out much of the human population on Longboat Key and we almost have our condo complex to ourselves. Then again, one cannot help but wonder if this bloom, like those that occur on inland lakes and coastal bays, is aggravated by human activity. We pump a huge amount of nutritious effluent into our rivers and human-induced global warming will surely enhance algal blooms in the future. All of these issues are food for thought and it is best that we concentrate on protecting all natural ecosystems from pollution and climate change.
