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Coral Reefs
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Understanding Coral What is coral. . .
Here you see the jelly-like polyps Corals eat at night Tentacles around mouth capture plankton
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Understanding Coral How do coral reefs form?
Reefs are the oldest, most productive, diverse ecosystems in the sea Modern reefs less than 18,000 years old * Reefs are built by corals
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Importance of Coral Reefs
Why are coral reefs important? Coral reefs are: Less than 1% of the sea bottom Nursery grounds to 25% of marine species Home to nearly 33% of all fish species
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Importance of Coral Reefs
What benefits do coral reefs provide to islands, coastal areas and tourism? Act as barriers for 1/6 of world’s coastlines Protects islands Each square metre/yard guards $47,000 (US) in property value
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Importance of Coral Reefs
Did you know corals are used in medical research? - Produce biomedical compounds - Used for bone replacement - More to be discovered
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Coral Reefs in Danger What is the worldwide status of coral reefs and estimated loss? 1992: 10% degraded beyond recovery 2000: 25% are dead Most reefs are in jeopardy within years According to the World Resource Institute, 58% of remaining reefs are at risk of destruction
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Coral Reefs in Danger What land-based activities are dangerous to coral reefs? Poor land use that causes erosion Agriculture and sewage discharge Nonpoint source pollution carrying dissolved substances
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Coral Reefs in Danger Dangerous land-based activities . . .
Coastal development and habitat destruction Tourism that damages coastal habitats and dumps wastes
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Coral Reefs in Danger What ocean-based activities are dangerous to coral reefs? Overfishing Collision and anchor damage Coral collecting
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Protect the Living Reef
Promote conservation . . . Do not overfish Further your education Volunteer to help keeping the island clean
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