Coral reefs provide ideal habitats for all kinds of marine life. When you mention coral reefs, you may think that they are tropical rain forests in the ocean. They are very rich in biological species and resources, and are one of the most unique and important ecosystems in the world.
Coral reefs are very important to marine life and are equally important to humans. Here are 7 aspects of your connection to coral reefs:
01
food
The fish that live on coral reefs provide a substantial source of food for about half a billion people in the world. Even if you live far from the coast, chances are that the fish you eat comes from coral reefs. More than 4,000 species of fish depend on coral reefs, and it is estimated that healthy reefs can supply 15 tons of fish per square kilometer each year.
02
livelihood
Coral reefs are important tourism resources. Millions of snorkelers and scuba divers flock to the reef each year to enjoy the beauty of the reef, and many tourists enjoy the reef-protected sandy beaches, providing an array of hotels, restaurants, etc. opened by submarines and service centres Tourism livelihood.
03
Protect
While storms and waves can erode coasts, damage property or threaten life, coral reefs act as a buffer against storms and waves, and the complex shape of coral reefs and the underwater "barriers" they build help reduce the intensity of wave impacts. As climate change intensifies and storms occur more frequently and with greater intensity, the protection of coral reefs is increasingly important.
04
Medicine
Compounds are currently being discovered from many species living on coral reefs and used to develop new medicines and nutritional supplements. While scientists have been studying forests this way for decades, only in recent years have they begun to explore the possibilities coral reefs offer for medical research.
05
Culture
For those who live on the shores of coral reefs or who have ever dived to see the wonders of coral reefs, the value of coral reefs cannot be measured in money. In addition to providing us with the above resources and services, coral reefs also wonderfully demonstrate the beauty and beauty of life on earth. Complexity. If you've ever seen a coral reef in person, you probably have the feeling that the presence of coral reefs makes the world a more spectacular place.
06
Filter water
Coral reefs help prevent near-shore waters from being polluted. Many corals and sponges are filter feeders that consume particulate matter (water-insoluble pollutants) in the water, preventing them from settling on the seafloor and releasing harmful substances that pollute the ocean. Next time you swim in the ocean, don't forget to thank the coral reefs for helping us keep our oceans clean!
07
Beach
It is generally believed that the sand on the beach is the product of broken shells, but coral reefs also contribute to the formation of the beach. In fact, most of the sand on the beach is the product of broken coral skeletons. In addition, some reef-dwelling organisms ingest coral and expel sand, for example, a large parrotfish is estimated to produce a ton of sand per year!
Source: UNEP
The picture comes from the Internet