1. Coral Reefs

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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 years
According to the World Resource Institute, 58% of remaining reefs are at risk of destruction

8. 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

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

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

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