Coral Reefs Understanding Coral What is coral Here

Coral Reefs

Understanding Coral ¨ What is coral. . . · Here you see the jelly-like polyps • Corals eat at night · Tentacles around mouth capture plankton Slide– 2

Understanding Coral ¨ How do coral reefs form? · Reefs are the oldest, most productive, diverse ecosystems in the sea + Modern reefs less than 18, 000 years old * Reefs are built by corals Slide– 3

Importance of Coral Reefs ¨ Why are coral reefs important? Coral reefs are: · Less than 1% of the sea bottom · Nursery grounds to 25% of marine species · Home to nearly 33% of all fish species Slide– 4

Importance of Coral Reefs ¨ What benefits do coral reefs provide to islands, coastal areas and tourism? · Act as barriers for 1/6 of world’s coastlines · Protects islands · Each square metre/yard guards $47, 000 (US) in property value Slide– 5

Importance of Coral Reefs ¨ Did you know corals are used in medical research? - Produce biomedical compounds - Used for bone replacement - More to be discovered Slide– 6

Coral Reefs in Danger ¨ What is the worldwide status of coral reefs and estimated loss? 1992: 10% degraded beyond recovery 2000: 25% are dead · Most reefs are in · jeopardy within 30 - 50 years According to the World Resource Institute, 58% of remaining reefs are at risk of destruction Slide– 7

Coral Reefs in Danger ¨ What land-based activities are dangerous to coral reefs? · Poor land use that · causes erosion Agriculture and sewage discharge · Nonpoint source pollution carrying dissolved substances Slide– 8

Coral Reefs in Danger ¨ Dangerous land-based activities. . . · Coastal development and · habitat destruction Tourism that damages coastal habitats and dumps wastes Slide– 9

Coral Reefs in Danger ¨ What ocean-based activities are dangerous to coral reefs? · Overfishing · Collision and anchor damage · Coral collecting Slide– 10

Protect the Living Reef ¨ Promote conservation. . . · Do not overfish · Further your education · Volunteer to help keeping the island clean Slide– 11