Save the reef

Do it

Why
I personally want to save the reef because I

enjoy the ocean and everything that lives in it.

I enjoy to go swimming dive down and
experience nature and Gods creation.

The goal
Our goal is to create offshore nurseries and

restoration programs for threatened coral

species. These programs will allowed us to
take the lead in new nursery and restoration
techniques that can be implemented
worldwide.

Education

We need to promote awareness of coral reef

health and survival, along with the

environmental and social benefits of reef
ecosystems.

Action
We must want to engage communities in

nursery and restoration efforts by encouraging

long-term involvement, and facilitating
partnerships for the purpose of research,
restoration, and understanding of coastal
resources.

Whats happening
Staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and Elkhorn

(Acropora palmata) used to be the dominant

reef building corals in the Florida Keys and
Caribbean. But due to multiple stressors in the
late 1970s and early 1980s, the population of
these two species declined dramatically. Thus
leaving the remaining corals scattered and
facing local extinction.

Visual aid

Staghorn
(Acropora cervicornis)

Elkhorn
(Acropora palmata)

Ecological & Economic

Significance
Elkhorn and staghorn are ecologically and

economically important because they provide

many ecosystem services. The coral reef is an
essential nursery habitat for many organisms.
It also acts as grounds for breeding, feeding,
and spawning for many commercially
important fish and invertebrates. In fact, over
25 percent of the worlds biodiversity of fish
are associated with coral reefs.

Ecological & Economic

Significance continued
Protecting and restoring the coral reefs is a

win-win situation. Healthy hard corals protect

the coastline and act as a buffer system when
large storms hit. Their structures dissipate the
incoming waves and protect the land from
erosion, preventing property damage and
protecting lives. Coral reefs also support
fishing, boating, scuba diving, and other
tourism, recreational and commercial
activities that generates billions of dollars per
year worldwide.

The end
Save the reef