What are Coral Reefs?

Coral reefs are one of our most important natural resources. Most people are familiar with them and they are a major tourist attraction. Nevertheless most people really don't understand just how important coral reefs are. They are a major source of biodiversity and as well as an important economic feature.

A coral reef is an underwater structure that is actually the skeleton of a small animal called coral. Coral is a tiny animal that live together in groups called polyps which although they look like one creature are actually a group of tiny ones. The coral excretes calcium carbonate which serves as an exoskeleton; it provides them with both support and protection. Therefore coral is a living thing that is constantly growing. The vast majority of coral reefs are found in shallow tropical waters but it is possible to find them in deeper colder waters as well.

The reason that coral reefs are so important is that they support so much marine life; in fact they are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth. Despite making up just a tiny percentage of the ocean they support about a quarter of all marine life. This is why it is so important to protect coral reefs. Not only because of the need to protect this biodiversity but because coral reefs play an important part in the world's economy. It is estimated that coral reefs represent about 375 billion dollars in economic activity worldwide, mainly in the forms of tourism and fishing.

Unfortunately the world's coral reefs are under threat. The biggest threat to the coral reefs is mining, there is a lot of money to made in mining coral usually to be used in jewelry or sold as souvenirs. Although the coral will grow back it takes a long time and it is being mined at far too fast a rate. The other major threat to coral reefs is pollution. Unfortunately the oceans are becoming very polluted and this is destroying the coral reefs. Other major threats are overfishing and disease to the coral.

Coral reefs are very important for another reason and that is that they protect the coastline in the areas where they exist. Coral reefs absorb the energy of waves which reduces the damage and erosion that they can do to the shoreline. This is important to a lot of countries which would face the loss of a lot of shorefront property if there were no coral reefs, in fact many small islands wouldn't exist at all. Unfortunately this protection is also causing the loss of coral reefs. Since they make a natural break water the ideal place to put a harbor is inside of the reef. That means that a canal has to be cut through the reef so that boats can get through, doing considerable damage to the reef. By the way, if you see the chance to go see some coral reefs (f.e. on holiday in Indonesia or Australia) don't hesitate! It's breathtaking