The Value of Coral Reefs: Saving Nemo and the Economy
by Tim McGee, Helena, MT, USA on 01.13.08
Drawn like bees to a flower, we soak in the tantalizingly beautiful shapes and colors of creatures both familiar and bizarre that mix and mingle to create a coral reef. A living structure of calcium carbonate that supports one of the most diverse habitats on earth, and also one of the most economically important engines for the United States worth untold billions. In light of their recognized importance, and increasing threat, NOAA has declared that 2008 is the international year of the reef.
Coral reefs are a popular topic here at Treehugger, sometimes referred to as the 'rainforests of the sea', they harbor over a quarter of all known marine life, yet occupy as little as 1% of the ocean floor (I figure they deserve all the attention). Jeremy just wrote an excellent outlook of ocean reefs for 2008. But if you missed it, reefs face serious challenges; ocean acidification, agricultural run-off, pollution, and tourism to name just a few.
Acting as safe harbor for marine species, the biodiversity found in reefs helps to increase the resilience of our fisheries, providing food (and jobs) to millions of people around the world. The reefs also keep ocean storms in check, breaking up the powerful swells that can flood coastal cities.
Reefs not only provide jobs in the form of tourism and food, but also medicine. The cone snail alone has been a boon to medical science, providing us with treatments for intractable pain, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders. As we learn more about the coral reef, we increasingly find new species, new functions, and realize how much our marine ecosystems depend on reefs.
In truth we can never know the true value of a coral reef. But it has become evident that the reefs of the world are more important than we ever suspected, and in more danger than we would like to think. Our fortunes, economic and otherwise are twined with the natural world. Learn more about coral reefs, what we know, and how to protect them at IYOR.org.
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Countries Falling Behind As World's Oceans Are Still "Vastly Under-Protected": Study
- Greenlanders See Independence and Natural Riches as the Upside of Climate Change
- Ocean's 'Poop Machines' Could Help Fight Climate Change
- Coal's Darkest Hour Comes Just Before EPAs New Dawn
Rolex Replica,
I'm going to have to disagree with you on that point. After exploring the coral reefs both in the Keys and in Thailand, one of the major -and easily preventable factors - of reef destruction is improper boating and ignorant tourists.
Boats carelessly dragging anchors across the reefs, and tourists who crush coral as they walk/ smack the reefs with their flippers etc. do a whole lot of damage.
Tim and Helena - very nice article by the way. I've selected it for today's publication of The Issue - a blog newspaper. You can find a brief excerpt and a link back at www.TheIssue.com.
I would love your thoughts and feedback on our site - if you get the chance.
JB