The material in this slide show is provided free for educational use only. All other forms of storage or reproduction are subject to copyright- please contact the National Marine Aquarium The slide show was designed and produced for the NMA by STEP, the Science Training & Education Partnership T raining & S cience E ducation P artnership

Reefs at risk: threats to coral reefs

Coral reefs in tropical seas are the richest habitats in the ocean However, they face increasing threats from natural and man-made causes

The value of coral reefs Impacts on coral reefs Summary Coral reef conservation

The value of coral reefs Impacts on coral reefs Summary Coral reef conservation

Dave Peake Coral reefs are the most varied marine communities They have been compared to tropical rainforests

Reefs contain many more species than the neighbouring ocean

The Great Barrier Reef occupies 0.1% of the ocean area of the planet It is made up of 2900 separate reefs, which contain 360 species of hard corals Dave Peake NASA

The Great Barrier Reef occupies 0.1% of the ocean area of the planet It is home to 1500 species of fish - 8% of the world total NASA

The Great Barrier Reef occupies 0.1% of the ocean area of the planet It protects important coastal habitats such as mangrove and seagrass beds NASA

The Great Barrier Reef occupies 0.1% of the ocean area of the planet It is an important breeding area for many endangered species NASA STEP

Dave Peake Coral reefs are an important source of food for many people

Dave Peake Reef animals may be important for human health Natural drugs Use of coral to repair bones

Dave Peake Coral reefs are great places for a holiday!

Dave Peake Tourist visits to reefs gives half of the national income of some Carribean countries

The value of coral reefs Impacts on coral reefs Summary Coral reef conservation

Dave Peake Coral reefs can be affected by natural and man-made changes

Natural changes include: Tropical storms and hurricanes Freshwater flooding from the land ‘Predator plagues’ and other changes in the coral ecosystem Earthquakes and tidal waves

Sometimes, very large numbers of the crown-of-thorns starfish can damage large areas of reef by eating the coral

Habitats like coral reefs that are close to the coast are most affected by human activity

Human impacts on coral reefs include: Pollution Addition of agricultural fertilizers Removal of coral for building and making cement Addition of sediment Over-fishing Destructive fishing methods Climate change

Dave Peake Tourism may encourage building close to the coast in areas where sewage treatment and pollution control are poor

River flow from the land can carry fertilizers, pesticides and sediment - stopping coral growth but encouraging algae

Coral reefs are a valuable source of food fish - but many are over-fished and survival of some species is threatened Dave Peake

Large fishing gear and dynamite-fishing cause extensive damage to coral reefs

Cyanide poison may be used to catch live fish for the aquarium trade - this kills the coral and other animals

10% of coral reefs are already damaged 60% are under threat from human activities

Most of the threats to coral reefs come from over- exploitation and coastal development

Dave Peake Climate change may have a more important effect on corals Small increases in summertime water temperature causes the corals to lose the algal cells from their bodies

The value of coral reefs Impacts on coral reefs Summary Coral reef conservation

Dave Peake Protecting coral reefs involves many different approaches and many different people

Making marine parks involves informing local people and tourists brochure: Marine Conservation Society

Dave Peake Tourism can be used to inform, and can provide money for conservation projects

Dave Peake Alternatives are needed for damaging fishing methods Trade in reef fish and curios can be regulated

Dave Peake Coral reefs are too valuable to lose!

The value of coral reefs Impacts on coral reefs Summary Coral reef conservation

Coral reefs contain many important species Reefs are important for fisheries and tourism You have seen that -

Coral reefs are under threat from human activities 60% of reefs are at risk You have seen that -

Human use of coral reefs needs to change Preserving coral reefs needs money and education You have seen that -

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