Coral Reefs
By: Albert, Juan, Kirin, Andrea
pollution damage
Benefits of coral reefs
Coral reefs are important because it protects the shores from erosion and damage from storms. Coral reefs provide a calm lagoon area that allows sea grass to grow. The coral reef is also home to many species of commercial fish. Research had shown that in recent years in our reefs there many animals from the reef as a source that are providing new drugs and medicines that can treat certain diseases and illness. For example, medicines include pain killers, and others can help treat for cancer, asthma and herpes.
Local and Global Pressures Threaten Coral Reefs
Threats to Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are becoming threatened locally and globally. Some of the causes are from pollution, overfishing, careless tourism, chemicals, and climate change. Overfishing affects the balance of coral reefs communities and messes up the food chain causing effects. Sewage, waste, and oil pollution are what leads to the pollution of coral reefs. The chemicals from sunscreen destroy the reefs, and because of climate change if the water gets too high the reefs won't be able to survive.
Coral Reef Conservation
Coral reef conservation is conducted by NOAA and PIMPAC to help marine protected areas
What can you do?
-Corals need clean water to thrive, so don't litter or dump sewage into the ocean.
-Conserve energy to reduce your carbon footprint
-Reduce, reuse, and recycle
-Buy sustainable seafood (www.seafoodwatch.org)
-Plant a garden with native plants to help absorb runoff
-Don't but jewelry made from organisms that reside in coral reefs
-When snorkeling or divine, never take anything out of the coral reef or touch the coral