The Ocean’s Rainforest: Coral Reefs

June 18, 2022

Written by: Caroline Kim

Here I am, right before leaving for a week of hanging out at the beach- excited but I wanted to learn more about the environment that I’ll be visiting. A topic that comes up quite often in environmental discussion is coral reefs, but what’s so significant about them? What are they? They are described as “large underwater structures composed of the skeletons of colonial marine invertebrates called coral” (Ross). They are described as “fish nurseries” and key to the ocean’s biodiversity- “rainforest of the ocean” (Coral Reefs). In fact, they are much more unique than I initially thought, “... corals are extremely ancient animals that evolved into modern reef-building forms over the last 25 million years. Coral reefs are unique (e.g., the largest structures on earth of biological origin) and complex systems” (NOAA's Coral Reef Information System (Coris) - What Are Coral Reefs).

“Pollution, overfishing, destructive fishing practices using dynamite or cyanide, collecting live corals for the aquarium market, mining coral for building materials, and a warming climate are some of the many ways that people damage reefs all around the world every day” (US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Other human interaction that damages these structures include “quarrying, destructive fishing practices and gear, boat anchors and groundings, and recreational misuse (touching or removing corals)” (Threats to Coral Reefs). Essentially, the debris and waste can cover the coral reefs and eventually break it down. Artificial coral reefs can often be beneficial in restoring reefs/building homes for sea life, but it can also have its negative effects such as the material becoming toxic or not suitable for sea life (Goni). Additionally, human practices such as reducing waste and pollution, using reef safe sunscreen, and eco-friendly transportation can help preserve these ocean homes (What You Can Do to Help Protect Coral Reefs).

Sources:

Ross, Rachel. “What Are Coral Reefs?” LiveScience, Purch, 24 Sept. 2018, https://www.livescience.com/40276-coral-reefs.html.

“Coral Reefs.” National Geographic Society, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/coral-reefs.

“NOAA's Coral Reef Information System (Coris) - What Are Coral Reefs.” NOAA Coral Reef Information System (CoRIS) Home Page, 12 Oct. 2007, https://www.coris.noaa.gov/about/what_are/.

Goni. “Artificial Coral Reefs - Types, Reasons, Pros and Cons.” More Fun Diving, 13 Feb. 2017, https://morefundiving.com/artificial-coral-reefs/.

US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Anthropogenic Threats to Corals - Corals: NOAA's National Ocean Service Education.” Human Threats to Corals: Corals Tutorial, 1 June 2013, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral09_humanthreats.html#:~:text=Pollution%2C%20overfishing%2C%20destructive%20fishing%20practices,around%20the%20world%20every%20day.

“Threats to Coral Reefs.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/coral-reefs/threats-coral-reefs.

“What You Can Do to Help Protect Coral Reefs.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 2 Aug. 2021, https://www.epa.gov/coral-reefs/what-you-can-do-help-protect-coral-reefs.