Coral Reefs: Importance, Ecosystem Services & Conservation

Coral (coral polyps or baby coral) are animals that resemble plants or rocks, live underwater and are formed by calcium carbonate secreted by corals. A coral reef is approximately a million tiny coral polyps stuck together.

Protects Fish

• Coral reefs are a main source of shelter and protection for several different types of fish. If coral reefs did not exist, these reef fish would have nowhere to live and procreate.

Controls Carbon Dioxide

• An important function of coral reef is controlling the amount of carbon dioxide in the water. Coral polyp is responsible for turning carbon dioxide into limestone shell. If coral did not exist, the level of carbon dioxide in the water would be dangerous, affecting life on the earth.

Protects Coasts

• Coral reefs (also referred to as barrier reefs) act as a barrier between our ocean and the shore. They slow down the water before it reaches the shore, which protects our coasts from strong currents.