Importance of Coral Reefs
When communicating about coral reefs to various audiences, it is important to realize that reefs are not only biologically rich and a source of beauty but they also provide many services to the communities they support. If the reef is degraded, destroyed or bleached, those services will be impacted. Therefore, communicating all of these effects and the general importance of coral reefs should be part of any management strategy.
The following facts about coral reefs may be helpful when speaking with different groups, especially the media:
- Coral reefs are among the oldest ecosystems on Earth.
- Coral reefs support a phenomenal diversity of species and provide irreplaceable sources of food and shelter. Tropical rainforests play a similar role on the land.
- Coral reef ecosystems support a variety of human needs. They are important for subsistence, fisheries, tourism, shoreline protection, and yield compounds that are important in the development of new medicines.
- Corals are an integral part of the reef and are especially vulnerable to human activities and to climate-related threats, such as mass bleaching and disease.
- Human activities such as trampling, destructive fishing techniques (e.g., poison, dynamite), and anchoring can physically destroy or kill the coral, resulting in reef death.
- Upland activities such as deforestation and fertilizer use can smother and kill downstream corals.
- Corals have shown remarkable resilience through major climate events and sea level changes, giving hope for their continued survival.
- Coral reefs form natural barriers that protect nearby shorelines from the eroding forces of the sea, thereby protecting coastal dwellings, agricultural land and beaches.
- Coral reefs have been used in the treatment of cancer, HIV, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers, and other ailments.
- Although coral reefs cover less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, they are home to 25% of all marine fish species.1
- At least 500 million people rely on coral reefs for food, coastal protection, and livelihoods.2
- It is estimated that coral reefs provide $375 billion per year around the world in goods and services.
- Estimates are that 20% of the world’s coral reefs have been effectively destroyed in the last few decades and an additional 20% or more are severely degraded, particularly in the Caribbean Sea and Southeast Asia.3