By: 9th grade science student Coral Reefs By: 9th grade science student

Facts Coral reefs are in crisis, dying at an alarming rate worldwide. An estimated 25% of coral reefs have already disappeared and an estimated two-thirds of all coral reefs are at risk today.1   An estimated 88% of the reefs in Southeast Asia - the most species rich reefs on earth - are at risk.1   Since 1975, more than 90% of the reefs in the Florida Keys have lost their living coral cover (study by Dr. Phil Dustan).  

Threats Threats to the world's coral reefs include: Pollution Disease Over-fishing Dynamite and cyanide fishing Sedimentation Bleaching caused by rising ocean temperatures

Info Called the "rainforests of the sea," coral reefs are the greatest expression of ocean life, and the most biodiverse ecosystem on Earth with 30 of 34 known animal phyla present.     Unlike the rainforest, there is no comprehensive global baseline map of living coral reefs. This is urgently needed. A satellite mission dedicated to remote sensing of coral reefs can provide this critical global baseline.

Scuba diver

How humans affect coral reefs Ten percent of the world's reefs have been completely destroyed. In the Philippines, where coral reef destruction is the worst, over 70% have been destroyed and only 5% can be said to be in good condition. What has happened to destroy all of the reefs? Humans have happened. There are two different ways in which humans have contributed to the degradation of the Earth's coral reefs, indirectly and directly. Indirectly, we have destroyed their environment. As you read earlier, coral reefs can live only within a certain temperature and salinity range. Global warming caused by the green house effect has raised the temperature of the oceans so high that the coral get sick and die. Even a rise of one degree in the average water temperature can hurt the coral. Due to global warming, 1998 was the hottest year in the last six centuries and 1998 was the worst year for coral.

Solution Coral reef fisheries have an important place in many human societies. But problems of unsustainable fishing are commonplace, and their detrimental social and ecosystem consequences can be far-reaching. Sustainable solutions are a major challenge.

References Google.com Ask.com