Why do we need to protect coral reefs

Coral reefs, the world’s most beautiful habitats, have been called the rainforests of the oceans, because of the rich diversity of life they support. Coral reefs are the largest biological structures on the planet, with the largest being the Great Barrier Reef along the east coast of Australia. The reef is said to be many years old and is said to be visible from the moon. There is only one problem with this beautiful structure and that is the carelessness of man. Silt from deforested lands and pollution from crowded coastlines chokes them, and overuse by coal miners, fisheries, and even tourists deplete and destroy coral reefs. There are many more factors which add to the destruction of the coral reefs, which if not stopped it will destroy all coral reefs.

Coral reefs are a very important to many different species of sea life. The reefs cover only about 1% of the earth’s surface, yet contain ¼ of all of the earth’s species of fish. Amongst the reefs are complex food webs, and prey relationships. Algae growing on the coral are food for many herbivores. The coral itself is food to many species.

The large number of plants and animals that inhabit the reef environment have evolved to cooperate and work with each other. It is this cooperation and dependency on each other that has helped this ecosystem to thrive. Likewise, ...