Why are coral reefs important?

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Distribution (5 marks)

Coral reefs are distributed unevenly in the oceans. Most of the coral reefs are mainly located in the Pacific Ocean, near regions such as Australia, Indonesia and along the seas of China and Japan. There are also coral reefs located in the Caribbean, in the Atlantic Ocean.  Small amount of coral reefs are also found near India, the Red Sea, which is in the Indian Ocean. Each continent has coral reefs located close to the shoreline, with the exception of Europe. The pattern is that coral reefs are located close to the equator and also close to the coastline (including island coastline).

 

Why are coral reefs important? (10 marks)

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Environmentally

  • Coral reefs occupy less than a quarter of 1% of the marine environment. Many kinds of living creatures (more than 25% of all known marine fish species) live and depend on the coral reefs. Without, coral reefs, many animals would loose its habitat and protection.

  • Coral reefs are also the breeding sites of many fish and other sea animals.

  • Coral reefs acts like natural barriers for many islands and coasts. Without them, islands and coasts will quickly erode away into the ocean.

  • Coral reefs and the associated communities of sea grasses and ...

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