1. Coral reefs & society and culture Team Members: Asabi Ramsaran Dixie Ann Daniel Shonika McKain Calisa Joseph Shalon Kerr Sherissa Moore Naecia Samuel All rights reserved ®

2. What Is Biodiversity? “the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.”- Oxford Dictionary All rights reserved ®

3.  The protection offered by coral reefs makes it home to many diverse organisms ranging from fishes, corals, molluscs and crustaceans etc.  Most of the species found in coral reefs are endemic, meaning they are found no where else in the world. Amazing!  Corals have the ability to produce new medicines for mankind. E.g. New treatment for AIDS-AZT was developed from chemicals in a sponge coral  Sunscreen is also produced from chemicals found in corals. All rights reserved ®

4. Tourism The reef provides a world of colours, shapes and sizes that tourists world wide travel to view. Tourists are interested and amazed by our white sands in the Caribbean which is formed by the smashing of the waves against the corals grinding them into powder. All rights reserved ®

5.  Tourists are provided with the opportunity to snorkle, scuba dive and fish in the reefs.  The coral reef is then important as it generates and contributes to a vast amount of income obtained by certain countries. All rights reserved ®

6. Fisheries  Reefs provide valuable fisheries. Fishermen depend on the reefs to sustain the livelihoods of coastal villages  Seafood is known for its source of protein  Nearby Mangroves act as a nursery for fishes before they venture out to the reefs where they are offered more protection from predators. All rights reserved ®

7. Coastal Protection  Ports, harbours and settlements (hotels, houses) enjoy sheltered locations because of this.  Wetlands thrive as they depend on the accumulation of silt which usually occurs under calmer conditions.  Reefs play an important role in protecting the coastlines from erosion.  Reefs break the force of the waves, this results in calm waters on the coast.  It faciliates coastline activites like fishing and sea sports. All rights reserved ®

8. Buccoo Reef, Tobago Let’s Protect our Reefs! All rights reserved ®