The Human Effect on Coral Reefs

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Recommended: The Destruction of the World’s Coral Reefs

Reefs are complex and diverse habits. Perhaps one of the major and important marine biomes. Yet they are relatively a small biome, roughly about 25% of the marine species that belong to the oceans live in the coral reefs. Coral reefs are an underwater structure composed of calcium carbonated, a secretion from corals. A significant portion of the world’s coral reefs forms close to the equator along the coastlines and locate themselves around islands throughout the world. Coral reefs come in a variety of shapes, size, and color yet the coral reefs are recognized by three main types Fringe reef, Barrie reef, and Atoll. Besides being beautiful and interesting colorful ecosystem or a tour attraction, the coral reefs are an important element of our ecosystem. According to NOAA National Ocean Service Education (2008), “a coral reef serves an important element in the most diverse ecosystem on earth. From serving as a protections and shelter for many different species of fish to controlling how much carbon dioxide is produce in the ocean and finally protecting the coast from strong currents and waves by slowing down the water before reaches the shore.” Lots of different sea lives rely on reefs for habitat and sources of food which including several endangered species. Yet, this world does not realize the critical importance of these coral reefs since most of the coral reefs are in trouble or dying around the world. An estimation of 30 percent of reefs is already in sever damaged. By the time we reach the year 2030, close to 6o percent of our reefs will be lost (Hughes et. al., 2003, p. 929).

Human activity in particular towards coral reefs has a worldwide impact. Most recent with the climate change has developed and now has become one o...

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...ity of the global threat to coral reefs. Bioscience, 57(3), 214-215. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/216479754?accountid=40611

Hay, M., & Rasher, D. (2010). Corals in crisis. The Scientist, 24(8), 43-46. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/748811502?accountid=40611

Hinrichsen, D. (1997). Coral reefs in crisis. Bioscience, 47(9), 554-558. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/216465718?accountid=40611

Hughes, T. P., Baird, A. H., Bellwood, D. R., Card, M., & al, e. (2003). Climate change, human impacts, and the resilience of coral reefs. Science, 301(5635), 929-33. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/213584148?accountid=40611

What are the three main types of coral reefs?. (2014). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved from http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/threecorals.html

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