Extended Research on Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs are debatably among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth; coral reefs provide humans with billions of dollars in economic and environmental services such as food, protection for coasts, and tourism.  The resources that they provide the world with are commonly unknown, but utterly beneficial and essential.  For many years as well as currently, coral reefs are facing serious threats which will result in a detrimental, semi irreversible problem.  Various threats are decimating coral reefs faster than they have the ability to adapt to their altered environments leading to their demise.      

As of now, there are many organizations such as NOAA dedicated to the conservation and protection of the coral reefs around our world.  They are also keen on spreading the awareness of the decreasing abundance of coral reefs and what this means for the world.  They like to share the “Five Things You Should Know About Coral Reefs”.  Coral reefs, although tiny, tend to make up the largest living structures on Earth which serve many different purposes to the marine environment as well as the land environments.  About 500 million people around the world depend directly on coral reefs for everyday items such as food, protection, jobs, etc.  About 20% of the world’s coral reef population is damaged beyond repair and half of the remaining is in grave danger if unable to be preserved.  Even if you are not in close proximity to coral reefs or their uses, does not mean you are not negatively affecting them.  The main focus of most of the coral reef conservation organizations is to raise awareness.  Some people are unaware of the major impact the environment will undergo if these reefs keep disappearing. 

Healthy coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and economically valuable ecosystems on earth, providing valuable and vital ecosystem services. Unhealthy ones damage the marine ecosystems and have a domino effect on the living organisms that rely on them for survival.  Therefore, harming things all the way down to the human population on shore.  There are many ways that coral reefs can be saved and an immense amount of ways they can stop being harmed.