Yet they are found along more than , kilometers of coastline in more than countries and territories. Due to their massive formation between the surface and the first few dozen meters of depth, coral reefs form a barrier that absorbs the elements coming from the open sea in a very efficient way. They absorb wave energy and contribute to the reduction of coastal erosion.
They reduce damage in the event of storms, hurricanes and other cyclones, as well as, to some extent, the energy of tsunamis. In doing so, they protect both the ecosystems between the reefs and the coasts, such as lagoons with sea grass beds, as well as human settlements along the coast. Their action is so effective that man imitates it by immersing concrete structures along some of our fragile coasts.
Without this protective role , some countries located in atolls would no longer exist. More than million people live within 10 kilometers of a coastline and less than 30 kilometers from reefs. A large proportion of these human populations live in developing countries and island nations and therefore depend to a large extent on food taken directly from reef waters and thus depend on the direct and indirect means of subsistence they can derive from them.
Reef animals are an important source of protein. As a result of direct revenues from fishing, reefs provide a resource and services that are worth billions of dollars each year. Millions of people around the world depend on reefs for food, protection and employment. Coral reefs are beautiful and intrinsically full of wonder. Nothing much compares to diving below the surface of clear turquoise water and seeing a natural wonderland more intricate and complex than you could possibly dream up.
For me, that's enough. References Bellwood, D. All photographs by Jessica Carilli. Email your Friend. Submit Cancel. September 15, Thanks for the good times! Here's Where To Find Shelter. August 09, What are coral atolls made of? December 03, Underwater nursing: how marine mammals feed the August 24, How can you yes, you!
July 16, Runoff: How activities near and far from the oc April 05, Feeling Cold? July 31, What Makes Plankton Migrate? July 09, Why Whaling? Why Save The Whale? July 05, How old is the ocean?
June 25, Hot Stuff! These complex, fragile ecosystems are deteriorating at an alarming rate. They are easily damaged or killed. Reefs are sensitive to unusually warm waters caused by global warming.
They are smothered by erosion from deforestation and dredging of rivers and bays. They are blown up by fishers using dynamite, poisoned by collectors working for the aquarium trade and inadvertently damaged by boaters and scuba divers who stand on reefs or inadvertently hit them with fins or dangling equipment, breaking off pieces of the fragile coral. Damage from anchors and accidental boat groundings is a severe problem.
Cyanide and other toxins are used to stun reef fish so they can be captured alive to be sent to fish markets as aquarium specimens. The accumulation of poisons is killing the reefs.
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