Those who had the glorious opportunity of seeing beautiful reefs, before they had been destroyed, must be truly devastated to see the decline of those reefs in such a short lifetime. Reefs support the human population with their health, economics, food, pleasure and the beauty of the ecosystem (Sheppard 20). Coral reefs are a very reliant source of food and protection for marine animals and are even a source of economic and coastal protection for human beings. The reefs are an area for spawning and feeding ground for many species.The human population on the coastlines are putting the reefs at risk, putting a strain on the all of the qualities and services of the reefs (Hinrichsen 42). In result of human activities, pollution and even natural
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Many species of fish hover around the coral and swim in schools. There is so much diversity that this habitat offers. The coral reefs are a natural habitat for about a quarter of marine life (Sheppard 65). The reef colonies provide homes and shelter to thousands of marine species. Around 4,000 different species of fish and many other species, including ones that have yet to be discovered, are dependent on coral reefs …show more content…
But due to human activities, the environment and reefs are being harmfully affected.They are the “canaries in the coal-mine” from misuse and abuse and they will be the first to fall in the ecosystem. Marine scientists have begun to observe the degradation of the reefs, more in heavily populated areas. About one fourth of the coral reefs have already died and more are being harmed every day. In the Caribbean, the elkhorn coral covered most of the reefs in the 1970s. It brought in great business for photographers. In just the time span of 10 years, most of the coral was killed from the White Band disease. In 10 more years, there was barely any coral left. The coral could no longer protect the shorelines like it had before and didn’t have much marine life. In Gulf of Aqaba, global warming had strongly affected the coral rich area. The coral had reduced greatly in just 20 years (Sheppard
Many species of fish hover around the coral and swim in schools. There is so much diversity that this habitat offers. The coral reefs are a natural habitat for about a quarter of marine life (Sheppard 65). The reef colonies provide homes and shelter to thousands of marine species. Around 4,000 different species of fish and many other species, including ones that have yet to be discovered, are dependent on coral reefs …show more content…
But due to human activities, the environment and reefs are being harmfully affected.They are the “canaries in the coal-mine” from misuse and abuse and they will be the first to fall in the ecosystem. Marine scientists have begun to observe the degradation of the reefs, more in heavily populated areas. About one fourth of the coral reefs have already died and more are being harmed every day. In the Caribbean, the elkhorn coral covered most of the reefs in the 1970s. It brought in great business for photographers. In just the time span of 10 years, most of the coral was killed from the White Band disease. In 10 more years, there was barely any coral left. The coral could no longer protect the shorelines like it had before and didn’t have much marine life. In Gulf of Aqaba, global warming had strongly affected the coral rich area. The coral had reduced greatly in just 20 years (Sheppard