Coral Reefs

FACTS ABOUT CORAL REEFS

✔ Coral reefs are among the oldest ecosystems on Earth.

✔ Coral reefs are the largest living structure on the planet.

✔ Although coral reefs cover less than one per cent of the Earth’s surface, they

are home to 25 per cent of all fish species.

✔ 500 million people rely on coral reefs for their food and livelihoods.

✔ Without the existence of coral reefs, parts of Florida would be under water.

✔ If the present rate of destruction continues, 70 per cent of the world’s coral

reefs will be destroyed by the year 2050.

WHAT ARE CORAL REEFS? A coral reef is a limestone rock made up of the

skeletons of tiny marine organisms called coral polyps. Corals are formed by

tiny marine creatures which are confined to tropical and subtropical waters

between latitudes 300 N and 300 S.

CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR CORAL GROWTH

✔ Warm and clear oxygenated seawater where temperatures vary between 20 C

and 30 C.

✔ Clear salt water (water with normal salinity). Coral polyps do not grow at all

in fresh water.
✔ Waters no more than 45m deep, as temperatures decrease with depth.

✔ Shallow sunlit water, so that the sun’s rays can penetrate the water to allow

the coral polyps to photosynthesis and grow.

TYPES OF CORAL REEFS

FRINGING REEF This is a shallow-water reef. A shallow lagoon is often formed

between the reef and the shore. It is formed from the gradual accumulation of

corals close to the coast. The Buccoo Reef in Tobago is an example of a fringing

reef.

BARRIER REEF This is a wide coral platform separated from the coast by a

wide, deep lagoon. It is much larger than a fringing reef. The area between the

reef and shore is a deep area of water called a lagoon. The Great Australian

Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef in the world. The second largest is found

in the Caribbean, off the coast of Belize.

ATOLL This is a circular, ring-like or horse-shoe coral reef which encloses a

lagoon. It is commonly found in The Bahamas, Mauritius and Maldives.

VALUE OF CORAL REEFS TO CARIBBEAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE

SOURCE OF NATURAL HERITAGE Reef systems are living museums that have

been around for hundreds of years. They are the world’s natural heritage.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Many coral species have medicinal potential.

Scientists believe that the reefs of Montego Bay in Jamaica have a

pharmaceutical value of between US$50 million and US$80 million.

COASTAL PROTECTION Reefs protect the coast from erosion brought about

from storm surges. As a result, this facilitates the development of ports,

harbours, settlements, fishing and tourist activities.

TOURISM They are also the source of sand for beaches on which the tourist

industry is based. Coral reefs are valuable to the tourist industry in Caribbean

countries as corals attract tourist, thus providing an essential foreign revenue

source (snorkeling, scuba-diving, glass-bottom boats).

FISHERIES Coral reefs are a diverse ecosystem rich in biodiversity. For years,

Caribbean fishermen have been depending on reefs to sustain the livelihoods of

many coastal villages. The Caribbean fishing industry provides employment for

about 182,000 people and is a major contributor to the GDP.

CORAL REEF DESTRUCTION

GLOBAL WARMING Warm temperatures cause coral bleaching, causing them

to turn white which, in turn, causes corals to die.

OVERFISHING Corals are very sensitive to touch and are killed when fishing

nets are dragged over them. The depletion of parrot fish, which help to eat

algae off corals, is becoming a major problem.

TOURISM Coral reefs are nice for diving and snorkeling. However, when

tourists walk on coral reefs, they damage them.

POLLUTION The discharge of sewage, oil and garbage into seas and oceans

stifles corals.

HURRICANES Waves can cause widespread destruction to coral reefs.

SEDIMENTATION This involves the discharge of sediments from the mouths of

rivers into the sea. This makes water become cloudy, reduces photosynthesis

and causes corals to die.

CORAL REEF CONSERVATION – MITIGATION STRATEGIES INDIVIDUAL

LEVEL

✔ Minimise or stop consumption of parrot fish which protect coral reefs by

removing algae that can stifle and kill corals. Also, corals provide sand for our

beaches.

✔ Practise proper disposal of waste: Waste should be disposed of in receptacles

and not gullies, via which the garbage may end up in the sea.

✔ Avoid buying souvenirs made from corals.

NATIONAL/REGIONAL LEVEL

✔ Education of fisherfolk, hoteliers, citizens and tourists is most profound way

to sensitise all stakeholders about the value of coral reefs.

✔ Creation of marine-protected areas as fish sanctuaries.

✔ Implementation of laws and imposition of fines for illegal fishing and

methods of fishing which destroys reefs (cyanide fishing or dynamite fishing).

✔ Protection of reefs by authorities.

✔ Implementation of a fish sustainability regional approach. This is a regional

measure whereby all Caribbean nations decide on policies and measures that

foster a sustainable exploitation of the fish stock that thrives in a coral habitat.

EXAM PRACTICE

1. Explain three measures that Caribbean countries can implement to

minimize the danger posed to coral reefs in the region. [20 marks]

2. Describe at least four ways in which coral reefs have contributed to the

social and cultural life in the Caribbean. [20 marks]