Benefits Of Coral Reefs

The magnificent coral reefs that tease the delight of our minds; this is the world as we wish it would always be. In this great carnival of life, thousands of colorful characters co-exist, diversity strengthens the coral reefs. These underwater playgrounds are built by hard corals which produce limestone and turn it into homes. How wonderful that the largest living structures on earth are built by tiny animals!
Coral reefs are essential spawning, nursery, breeding, and feeding grounds for numerous organisms. According to NOAA, “over 25 percent of the world's fish biodiversity, and between nine and 12 percent of the world's total fisheries, are associated with coral reefs”. They aid in the prevention of erosion and flooding by reducing wave action along shorelines as well as provide sediments that become part of beaches. They also protect the shorelines during natural catastrophes such as storms.
Further, another benefit of coral reefs is Tourism. Coral reefs provide habitat for important recreational and subsistence fisheries. Many tropical countries like Grenada rely on tourism to bring in revenue in order to support local economies. As stated by NOAA, “Caribbean countries which attract millions of visitors annually to their beaches and reefs, derive, on average, half of their gross domestic product from the tourism industry.” When humans are injured, doctors use calcium carbonate from corals to mend our broken bones and chemicals compounds from the reef may restore our health, ease chronic pain and ease childbirth and even extend the life of AIDS patients. No place on earth holds greater potential for medical cures.
Coral reefs are dying at an alarming rate all across the world and Grenada is not immune to this threat. One th...

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...ented to include climate change adaptation measures, which reduce the vulnerability of reef-dependent populations. Moreover, active government institutions, regulations and enforcement mechanisms also play an important role in enabling an environment for all stakeholders to meaningfully contribute to coral reef protection is pivotal.
Conclusion
In this marine paper, I have discussed its significance, threats and conservational methods. I strongly believe that protection of coral reefs are key and should be understood as a means towards sustainable management and development of many small island nations such as Grenada and the world. Corals appear to be dying faster than normal and the trend is rapidly ascending. If that happens, then something inside of me will die too. The reef survives on partnership and the most important partners the corals have are you and I.