Coral Reefs. Slide–2 Understanding Coral What is coral... Here you see the jelly-like polyps Corals eat at night Tentacles around mouth capture.

Coral ReefsCoral Reefs

Slide–2Slide–2

Understanding CoralUnderstanding Coral What is coral. . .

Here you see the jelly-like polyps

• Corals eat at night

Tentacles around mouth capture plankton

What is coral. . .

Here you see the jelly-like polyps

• Corals eat at night

Tentacles around mouth capture plankton

Slide–3Slide–3

Understanding CoralUnderstanding 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

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

Slide–4Slide–4

Importance of Coral ReefsImportance 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

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

Slide–5Slide–5

Importance of Coral ReefsImportance 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

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

Slide–6Slide–6

Importance of Coral ReefsImportance of Coral Reefs Did you know corals are used in

medical research?

- Produce biomedical compounds

- Used for bone replacement

- More to bediscovered

Did you know corals are used in medical research?

- Produce biomedical compounds

- Used for bone replacement

- More to bediscovered

Slide–7Slide–7

Coral Reefs in DangerCoral 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 30 - 50 years

According to the World Resource Institute, 58% of remaining reefs are at risk of destruction

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 30 - 50 years

According to the World Resource Institute, 58% of remaining reefs are at risk of destruction

Slide–8Slide–8

Coral Reefs in DangerCoral 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

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

Slide–9Slide–9

Coral Reefs in DangerCoral Reefs in Danger Dangerous land-based activities . . .

Coastal development and habitat destruction

Tourism that damages coastal habitatsand dumps wastes

Dangerous land-based activities . . . Coastal development and

habitat destruction

Tourism that damages coastal habitatsand dumps wastes

Slide–10Slide–10

Coral Reefs in DangerCoral Reefs in Danger What ocean-based activities are

dangerous to coral reefs?

Overfishing

Collision and anchor damage

Coral collecting

What ocean-based activities are dangerous to coral reefs?

Overfishing

Collision and anchor damage

Coral collecting

Slide–11Slide–11

Protect the Living ReefProtect the Living Reef Promote conservation . . .

Do not overfish

Further your education

Volunteer to help keeping the island

clean

Promote conservation . . .

Do not overfish

Further your education

Volunteer to help keeping the island

clean