The value of coral reefs Flashcards
Biodiversity in the coral reefs
- Occupy 0.15% of the marine environment
- Home to 25% of all know marine fish
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Shoreline protection in the coral reefs
- They buffer coasts from wave erosion than artificial defences.
- These natural self-rearing breakwater will become even more critical as global warming causes sea level rise
- Reefs have the ability to grow with rising sea levels, provided water conditions are healthy for growth
Food in the coral reefs
Local people eat fish, conch, lobsters, sea urchins an seas cucumbers from the reefs
- Globally 20% of animal protein tat is consumed by people comes from marine environments, with coral reefs providing 25% of the total fish catch
- Population growth and the introduction of high-tech commercial fishing have out increasing pressures on reefs, especially in the far east. were reef fisheries feed 1 billion people
Medicine in the coral reefs
- Algae and sponges yield bioactive compounds used by the pharmaceutical industry.
- Reef species support new treatments for bacterial infections, as well as some cancers, and corals are use for bone grafts
The aquarium trade in the coral reefs
Reefs contain resident animals, such as soft corals, sea anemones, sea horses and small tropical fish
Decorative objects in the coral reef
-Although international law regulates the use of black coral, the ornamental trade and jewellery trade still supports many indigenous trades
Building materials in the coral reefs
-Coral reefs are mined for lime ad stone in countries that lack alternative basic construction materials
Education and research in the coral reefs
-They provide ideal habitats because of their shallow water and easy accessibility from the shore
Tourist magnets in the coral reefs
More than 100 of the 109 countries with reefs in their territorial waters have established tourist industries
-Some Caribbean countries derive around half of their gross national product (GNP) from tourism
