Coral reefs are one of the most spectacular and valuable ecosystems on the planet.

Hidden
beneath the ocean water’s surface exists a breathtaking underwater world. Home to a diversity of
elegant-looking exotic fish, corals, and countless other marine creatures — this is the rainforest of
the sea. So, why are corals important? Well, corals are important in many different ways: high
biodiversity, coastal protection, medicines and carbon sink.

Coral reefs are a highly biodiverse ecosystem. There are about 6,000 species of coral around the
world, with some species growing in warm shallow waters near coastlines and others thriving on
the dark, cold seafloor of the open ocean (National Geographic,2019 ). In relation to this, the
shelter created by these coral ecosystems make reefs a vital biodiversity hotspot where coral, fish,
algae, and hundreds of other species live together. Furthermore, almost 25% of all the fish in the
ocean rely on healthy coral reefs.

Coral reefs protect coastlines and help prevent erosion. They form barriers, absorbing the force of
storm waves and reducing damage to the shore. With more than half of the world’s population
living within 60km of the sea, coastal erosion is an issue affecting billions of people. That is why it
is important to note that when reefs are damaged or destroyed, the absence of these natural
barriers intensifies the damage to coastlines made by destructive waves and storms
(NOAA,2021).

Certain species of corals have also been found to have medicinal properties that can be used in
medicine (biomedical compounds), including some applied to the treatment of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cancer, ulcers and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the unique
skeletal structure of coral has been used to make our most advanced forms of bone grafting
materials.

One of the major contributions of coral reefs is that they absorb carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases involved in global warming, which
has been implicated in rising global and sea surface temperatures, rising sea levels and the
associated loss of land. For this reason, coral reefs are known as “carbon sinks” because they
help remove carbon dioxide from the land.

Despite all of this, coral reefs are also one of the most fragile and endangered ecosystems.
Scientists predict that another 32% may be lost over the next 30 years if human threats are not
lessened. Thus, we must protect and act on these threatened species as they are treasures to
both marine animals and people. Let us keep in mind that coral reefs maintain much higher
genetic diversity than tropical rainforests. They therefore represent the world’s most significant
storehouse of potential future products (McManus, 1995). Save the coral, protect the reef!

References:
National Geographic Society. (2019, August 29). Coral.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/coral/
NOAA. (n.d.). How do coral reefs protect lives and property?

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_protect.html
Quotations. (n.d.). Coral Health Monitoring Program.

https://www.coral.noaa.gov/resources/quotations.html