Ask A Scientist© Biology Archive

Question:  Can you tell me the importance of coral reefs?
Wynne A Wells

Answer:
Coral reefs are important for many different reasons:
*the coral reef is  "biologically diverse"  that means there
 are many different kinds of animals and plants that live theree
 This is important, because just like the tropical rainforests,
 Coral reefs may be the source of medicines, chemicals or other
 resources that haven't even been discovered yet, and unless we
 save these environments, we'll never get the chance to discover
 these resources that we need;
*Coral reefs are "biologically productive" , which means there are
 lots of each thing that grows here.  Many of the creatures that l
 live here, like lobsters and fish, we depend on for food, even
 here in the Midwest , and all around the world!
*Coral reefs are beautiful places, and provide income from
 tourists to many otherwise poor countries around the world.
*Reefs are very stable, and provide a protective barrier around
 many islands and coasts. Without the reefs these islands and
 coasts will erode away into the ocean.
*It is important to protect the reefs we have today, because they
 can't be replaced.  Reefs are formed very slowly by tiny animals
 called "coral". Each animal is tinier than your pinky nail, and
 grows very slowly, only about 1 centimeter a year. The reefs we have
 today were formed over 100s of thousands of years, and
 it would take just as long to grow back, if they grow back at all
Oil drilling and erosion from developing coasts near reefs are big problems.
Tom F Ihde