1. Coral Reefs

2. Understanding Coral • What is coral. . . • Here you see the jelly-like polyps • Corals eat at night • Tentacles around mouth capture plankton

3. Understanding Coral • How do coral reefs form? • Reefs are the oldest, most productive, diverse ecosystems in the sea • Modern reefs less than 18,000 years old * Reefs are built by corals

4. Importance of Coral Reefs • Why are coral reefs important? Coral reefs are: • Less than 1% of the sea bottom • Nursery grounds to 25% of marine species • Home to nearly 33% of all fish species

5. Importance of Coral Reefs • What benefits do coral reefs provide to islands, coastal areas and tourism? • Act as barriers for 1/6 of world’s coastlines • Protects islands • Each square metre/yard guards $47,000 (US) in property value

6. Importance of Coral Reefs • Did you know corals are used in medical research? - Produce biomedical compounds - Used for bone replacement - More to bediscovered

7. Coral Reefs in Danger • What is the worldwide status of coral reefs and estimated loss? 1992:10% degraded beyond recovery 2000: 25% are dead • Most reefs are in jeopardy within 30 - 50 years • According to the World Resource Institute, 58% of remaining reefs are at risk of destruction

8. Coral Reefs in Danger • What land-based activities are dangerous to coral reefs? • Poor land use that causes erosion • Agriculture and sewage discharge • Nonpoint source pollution carrying dissolved substances

9. Coral Reefs in Danger • Dangerous land-based activities . . . • Coastal development and habitat destruction • Tourism that damages coastal habitatsand dumps wastes

10. Coral Reefs in Danger • What ocean-based activities are dangerous to coral reefs? • Overfishing • Collision and anchor damage • Coral collecting

11. Protect the Living Reef • Promote conservation . . . • Do not overfish • Further your education • Volunteer to help keeping the island clean