Coral Reef Importance

They protect against coastal flooding, wave damage, storm surges, wave damage, and also they provide homes for lots of fish.. Coral reefs are dying because of the increase in ocean acidification that is caused by the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere. Coral reefs may stop growing if the CO2 concentration levels are high which is expected over the coming decades according to the article. Coral reefs are also vital for people and business. In the article it was reported that more than 30 million small-scale fisherman and women depend on coral reefs for their livelihoods, specifically in Indonesia where fish supported by the reefs provide the primary source of protein.

Consisting of less than 1% of the world oceans, the coral reefs are ancient animals comprising of thin calcium carbonate deposits within the photic layer. Aside from its biologically diverse ecosystems, coral reefs are major source of food for millions and provides habitats and nursery areas for many marine organisms. Coral reefs also act as a physical buffer to protect the coastlines from tropical storms and erosion. In addition, many local communities rely on coral reefs to generate an income through activities such as fishing and diving. However, 75% of the coral reefs are under threat from induced impacts of humans and climate change (Burke, et al., 2011). This essay looks at the human impacts constantly being inflicted on coral reefs.

First, I am going to talk about the importance of coral reefs. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. They are home to 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard coral, and hundreds of other species. Scientists believe that there are another 1 to 8 million unidentified species (NOAA). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, new drugs are being developed from

Coral reefs are extremely biologically and environmentally important (7). Not only are they home to over a million species of fish, invertebrates, and algae currently occupying coral reefs but there could be hundreds of thousands more species yet to be discovered (8). These reef dwelling species are food to over a billion people around the globe. Coral is also used as a building material and is a major tourist attraction, aiding the economies of communities bordering their coasts.

One of the most diverse and biologically rich marine ecosystems is the coral reef. Almost every ecosystem has a greater purpose, coral reef are no exception. For instance they serve as barriers for hurricanes, and other catastrophic storms, their chemicals treat diseases, and one of the most important function is they are a major source of food for humans. But that is just the benefits for humans, they provide shelter and food for numerous organisms, such as fish, turtles, dolphins, and several other marine life.

A. Although coral may seem like a plant, interestingly enough coral is classified as an animal. The structure of coral begins with a polyp; this polyp, has a sac like body leading up to an opening, which is considered the mouth. The mouth of this polyp is surrounded by tentacle-like structures. These tentacles, are used as organs and are used to capture, poison and trap prey. According to NASA earth observatory, polyps build interconnected tubes for protection against predators. The skeletons of polyps are formed from calcium carbonate ions in the seawater. Each time new polyps are created they begin building their new shells on top of the empty encasements of previous polyps. After several years, these reefs begin to expand.

Responsible for more than one quarter of the ocean’s biodiversity, coral reefs or “rainforest of the sea” not only harbor millions of species but also provide daily nutrients to sustain marine life. Coral reefs prove to be an asset humans by offering food, economic services, and protection. However, coral reefs are experiencing rapid decline in locations which they once thrived due to harmful human activities; these activities is identified by pollution, overfishing or aggressive fishing, and tourism. Bordering coastlines of tropical countries these rocks shield humans by weakening powerful waves during storms. Sturdy but not indestructible they can easily crumple apart in rough weather, but not enough to potentially be fatal. Although laws

Marine ecosystems can be split into coastal and ocean habitats. Coastal habitats extend from the shoreline at the beach to the edge of the continental shelf, way out further than swimming distance. These habitats are home to many kinds of life including fish, corals, birds and even bacteria. All these organisms are part of a long and complex food web and all depend on each other to survive. These ecosystems also provide a vast number of animals with protection from predators and are also extremely important to humans by providing a rich source of food and income through fishing and aquatic activities. They also support species by providing humans with half the oxygen we breathe to survive and they can support species that serve as animal feed, fertilizers, additives in food, make-up and medicines. Other organisms of this habitat aid in protection and structure such as mangroves and seagrasses which protect the coastline from wave action and erosion.

Without the coral, marine animals would die, snowballing into more marine life dying. They provide food and protection to marine animals. Coral reefs not only produce food for other fish, but they also provide shelter. The reefs hold a colossal amount of the world’s biodiversity. About 9 million different species live on the coral reefs; these animals would diminish if the coral were to go extinct. Brian Skoloff says, “If reefs vanished, experts say, hunger, poverty and political stability could ensue,” meaning these effects could result if the reefs were to vanish (Skoloff, 1). Not only do marine animals rely on the reefs, but humans do as well. Thousands of people indirectly rely on coral reefs. Humans rely on fish weather it is for food

The spectacular and silicate coral reefs of Australia, Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Pico are ecological gems and important economic resources. Often called "rainforests of the sea" for their rich biodiversity, the coral on which these diverse ecosystems are based are actually living organisms themselves. They form when polyps -the living portion of stony corals-extract calcium from seawater and combine it with carbon dioxide to construct the elaborate limestone skeletons that form the reef.

The coral reef is one of the world's most interesting things that nature provides. It is unknown of when this coral reef came around or how long. It is one of main sources for many things to thrive on. We use it in ways that we do not realize. We do not even realize that we are killing it to.

For some, diverse, and colorful reefs add beauty to the ocean and to the fish. Others see coral reefs as peaceful beds on the ocean 's floor. Creatures, on the other hand, see a shelter and protection from people or bigger larger that lurk for their prey. Coral reefs aren’t made for their scenery, but as ecosystems for many plants and animals. They do not only help the animals, but serve as important sources of income, food, protection, and new medicines for mankind. Coral reefs are less than one percent of the ocean floor, but support 25% of all marine life, shown by a study from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on www.noaa.gov. Coral reefs are often referred to as the “Rainforest’s of the sea” because they have the same purpose as a rainforest as an essential means of shelter and protection to plants and animals, a provider of medicine and jobs for people, a source of tourism for the economy, and a way of preventing shoreline erosion, thus making coral reefs essential to the environment.

However, many fisherman are unable to catch as many fish as they used to, so they are increasingly using cyanide and dynamite in fishing, which further degrades the coral reef ecosystem.[6] This perpetuation of bad habits simply leads to the further decline of coral reefs and therefore perpetuating the problem. One solution to stopping this cycle is to educate the local community about why conservation of marine spaces that include coral reefs is important.[7] Once the local communities understand the personal stakes at risk then they will actually fight to preserve the reefs. Conserving coral reefs has many economic, social, and ecological benefits, not only for the people who live on these islands, but for people throughout the world as well.

First of all, a coral reef is defined as "a ridge of rock in the sea formed by the growth and deposit of coral." Coral reefs are a diverse underwater ecosystem held together by calcium carbonate structures. They are created by colonies of tiny animals and organisms found in marine water. These animals and organisms contain nutrients needed to help the process of coral reef formation. These reefs begin to form when

On presenting a topic on corals, I realized how important was the corals to the human life. It has made me aware of the different uses and benefits and also to the increasing human activities that are leading the beautiful coral reefs to extinction. I was astonished to know that how such a small ,fragile organism can have such a great impact on human life.