Coral reef are so mesmerizing to behold that we can frequently forget that they are living organisms. These beautiful undersea creatures are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also provide sanctuary for fish, coral, plants, and other animals that account for approximately 25% of all known marine species. Additionally, they contribute to coastline protection from erosion. While their importance to marine life can never be understated, they also provide a solid foundation for humans. These reefs offer food and contribute to tourism and fisheries to the estimated tune of US$30 billion.

Yet, for all the essential work being done by the reefs, they are now in danger due to many factors, including “warming waters, pollution, ocean acidification, overfishing, and physical destruction” (National Geographic). With the advent of global warming, the reefs are now susceptible to coral bleaching. In fact, from 2014-2017, much of the ocean’s reefs struggled with warm waters, causing them to bleach and die. According to worldcounts.com, “up to half of the world’s coral reefs have already been lost or severely damaged,” and the prognosis for the coming years isn’t any brighter. If these reefs were to die out completely, that would spell disaster for the marine and terrestrial world alike.

Thankfully, measures are being taken to help the reefs, including the declaration of more marine protected areas. We, too, can help the reefs. We can do our part to assist by practicing recycling, using fewer pesticides, and being more mindful of our energy efficiency. With the appropriate effort and environmental awareness, we can give the reefs enough time to regenerate, thereby maintaining the ocean’s health, and by extension, the economies of the world.

Recap:

• Coral reef protects shorelines and support up to 25% of marine life including coral, fish plants, and other animals.
• Coral reef also benefits human beings by providing food and supporting both the tourism and fish industries.
• Up to 50% of the ocean’s reefs have already been damaged due to warm waters, pollution, and overfishing among other factors.
• Coral reef are essential to marine and terrestrial life and need to be protected at all costs.  

Citations:

Cesar, H. (n.d.). Coral Reef Degradation. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.wwf.or.jp/activities/lib/pdf_marine/coral-reef/cesardegradationreport100203.pdf

Everything you need to know about Coral BLEACHING-AND how we can stop it. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/everything-you-need-to-know-about-coral-bleaching-and-how-we-can… 

Gibbens, S. (2021, February 10). Oceans are in trouble, ipcc says. Why are MARINE Protections falling short? Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/paper-parks-undermine-marine-protected-areas

Lindsey, R. (2018, August 01). Unprecedented 3 years of global CORAL Bleaching, 2014–2017: NOAA Climate.gov. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/unprecedented-3-years-global-coral-bleac…

Sanctuary, F. (2011, April 04). Coral reefs are massive structures made of limestone deposited by coral polyps. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/corals/coralreef.html

SECORE international: Why coral reefs need our help. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2021, from http://www.secore.org/site/corals/detail/coral-reefs-are-dying.23.html

The world counts. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/planet-earth/oceans/coral-reef-destruction/story

What you can do to help protect coral reefs. (2018, September 26). Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.epa.gov/coral-reefs/what-you-can-do-help-protect-coral-reefs