Why the World Needs Coral Reefs

Photograph courtesy of "Help Protect Coral Reefs"

Being educated justifies a persons actions, and decisions. Over time that education turns into knowledge, which becomes reality. Building up ones intelligence helps people realize right from wrong. Coral reefs are incredibly important to our oceans, people’s well-being, and many more.

What people may not know is the fact that “coral reefs and other coastal ecosystems such as seagrasses and mangroves are widely recognized to provide protection against the devastating effects of strong waves associated with tsunamis and storms” (2). With the destructions that tsunamis and other storms can cause, coral reefs are essentially helping us. Knowing that coral reefs are valuable to the environment and to humans, should navigate peoples choices into wanting to pollute less. Additional information, “is that reefs provide protection to the coast from strong waves and that a rising sea level will diminish this protective function unless growth of the corals are ensured so that reef growth can catch up with increasing sea level” (2). Having this understanding that sea level rise has a direct impact in relation to the coral reefs shows how vital coral reefs are to our world. Going through tsunamis, or other terrible storms will hopefully diminish in the future if people take action to create a better ocean environment for the coral reefs.

Photograph courtesy of "Misubishi Coporation"

Creating that better environment consists of the following, “minimizing activities such as illegal and destructive blast and poison fishing methods, pollution and siltation, is crucial to minimize the impacts of high-energy waves that may increase with climate change” (2). With this information being presented to the public the reefs will have a better chance of blossoming. Spreading this awareness to a larger spectrum of people will hopefully, draw them closer to an end result in constructive change. Therefore, it is crucial to know the purpose of coral reefs, because they can ultimately save lives. Coral reefs are a strong benefactor to how oceans, fish life, people, and storms can function, and destroying that beautiful naturalistic setting defeats their whole purpose. “Such information is important, as coral reef fish assemblages are the most species dense vertebrate communities on earth, contributing critical ecosystem functions and providing crucial ecosystem services to human societies in tropical countries” (1). This statement reflects how imperative it is to have coral reefs along with their habitats. Coral reefs have a wide array of purposes that only benefit the world. There is nothing negative about coral reefs, except the fact that bleaching is occurring too much resulting in death.

Why the World Needs Coral Reefs

Overall, the coral reef population and the fish present within those communities, shape our world into something better. Knowing how to regulate sea levels will ultimately keep the coral reefs do their job of guarding the human population from unsettling storms.

The educational aspect of coral reefs is not as adamant as other types of basic learning. If individuals want to focus on this type of subject matter, doing independent research would be more helpful. This can be the reason why many people do not have the accurate familiarity within this area of study in the first place. Learning about coral reefs is not on the higher end of social hierarchy in today’s world. By making a change and showing people how important and essential it is to have coral reefs, maybe it will rise up in becoming something society yearns for. “Nonetheless, to maintain reef growth, it is imperative to manage coral reef ecosystems sustainably and to eliminate the stressors that are within human control” (2). Once that human control becomes second nature to society, services and encouragements will be met. Then our oceans would be able to go back to their healthy roles that they once endured before.

Is'nt everything better in color? Help make a change.

Photograph courtesy of "Coral Bleaching may be Caused by Viruses"

Knowing that one is making a change and projecting his or her beliefs into something they are passionate about only shows the strength and determination one has to adjust our world. With the learning experience that person achieves from his or her actions, hopefully unity will be met in the long run, because making a difference only shows how people can accomplish something that is greatly appreciated. Therefore, making it clear that coral reefs are something people need in the world in order thrive should be the first step into making the world healthier.

Photograph courtesy of Flickr

"Coral Bleaching Maybe Caused by Viruses." Leonardos Reef. N.p., 2 Aug. 2012. Web.

"Global Coral Reef Conservation Project." Mitsubishi Corporation. Mitsubishi Corporation, 2013. Web.

1. Graham, Nicholas A., Tim R. McClanahan, M. Aaran MacNeil, and Shaun K. Wilson. "Climate Warming, Marine Protected Areas and the Ocean-Scale Integrity of Coral Reef Ecosystems." Climate Warming, Marine Protected Areas and the Ocean-Scale Integrity of Coral Reef Ecosystems. 3.8 (2008): n. pag. Web of Science. Web.

"Help Protect Coral Reefs." Help Protect Coral Reefs. United Nations Foundation, n.d. Web.

"Papua New Guinean Girl Urging Coral Reef Protection." Flickr. Yahoo!, 24 Feb. 2012. Web.

2. Villanoy, Cesar, Laura David, Olivia Cabrera, Michael Atrigenio, Fernando Siringan, Porfirio Alino, and Maya Villaluz. "Coral Reef Ecosystems Protect Shore from High-Energy Waves Under Climate Change Scenarios." Climate Change (2012): n. pag. Web of Science. Web.

"'We Have to Make Sure We Keep Reefs Healthy'" NBCNews.com. N.p., 20 June 2012. Web.