Why are coral reefs important?

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 mangroves are sensitive indicators of water quality and the ecological integrity of the ecosystem.therefore, the coral reefs can be monitored to identify changes in in water quality, such as temperature, salinity and chemical properties in order to help us to know how to protect our vital marine resources.

• The coral reefs appear to be able to recover quickly from physical disturbance or temporary pollution events. The vast number of organisms living in the coral reefs provide help to keep many unwanted environmental changes from happening. (e.g. The growth of algae. While some algae is important, too much of it can be a problem. However, there are many fish and invertebrates that live in coral reefs that eat the algae, therefore maintaining the ecosystem's balance.)

Economically

• Coral reefs support commercial and subsistence fisheries as it provides us with seafood.  (e.g. In the U.S. territory American Samoa, coral reefs play an important cultural role and supply over 50 percent of the fish caught locally for food.)

• Coral reefs are considered as a tourist attraction, which in turn offers jobs and income for many people. (e.g. In the 1990s, over four million tourists visited the Florida Keys each year, contributing $1.2 billion annually to tourism-related services.)

• As coral reefs acts like natural buffers, it offers shoreline protection especially for people who resides near the coast, as there properties could be well protected.

• Coral reefs are important sources of new medicines which could help with the treatment of cancers and other diseases. Also it importance have also extended to areas such as nutritional supplements, pesticides, cosmetics and other commercial products.

• Coral reefs are a source of raw materials in many parts of the world.

• It is estimated that 2-2.5 million people around the world keep marine aquaria.

Bibliography

coral reefs facts          2009-2010

Ask a scientist

NOAA    december 12, 2006

Coral reefs   2007-2011

Project Oceanography   DR.PAMELA HALLOCK MULLER   Oct 3,1997