info you should know about the Coral Reefs

Little common knowledge is known of our oceans. The world, through costal development since 1900, has lost 1/2 of its coastal wetlands. The ocean is the oldest and most diverse of the world's ecosystems. Coral reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate. They grow slowly and are easily disturbed.

Coral thrive only in warm, clear, and fairly shallow water. It takes five or more years to create one square inch of coral. The biggest threat to these coral reefs is the world's population growth. Deposition of eroded soil from deforestation, construction, agriculture, mining, urban runoff, dredging and increased population on coastlines contributes to the destruction of these precious creations. Suspended soil blocks sunlight and smothers their ecosystem rendering 10% dead, 30% in critical condition, 30% threatened, and 30% stable. At this rate, 60% of the coral reefs could be gone in 20-40 years.
 

Coral and sand are mined from reefs throughout the Indo Pacific and the Carribean for use as lime and for road-building materials. Island habitats are devastated by phosphate mining operations on reef-fringed coasts. This is a major threat destabilizing the swamp silts and muds, exposing the shoreline to erosion along with herbicides, pesticides, fertilizer, sewage, industrial waste and the run-off, further inland due to deforestation. Fertilizers and sewage blossom algae which chokes the coral.

We need to act now to protect the world's diminishing coral reefs. Success in doing this will depend on improving public understanding of the ecological and economic value of coral reefs while also involving local people in their management and protection.