What Are Coral Reefs And What's Their Purpose?

Coral reefs in the Caribbean are slowly dying! It's estimated that ⅙ of the reefs will be dead in the next 20 years! What is the purpose of these reefs, and can this damage be stopped?


Read More:
What species live in and around coral reefs?
"Hidden beneath the ocean waters, coral reefs teem with life. Fish, corals, lobsters, clams, seahorses, sponges, and sea turtles are only a few of the thousands of creatures that rely on reefs for their survival."

How do coral reefs protect lives and property?
"The coral reef structure buffers shorelines against waves, storms, and floods, helping to prevent loss of life, property damage, and erosion."

Importance of Coral Reefs
"Coral reefs are important for many reasons. Most importantly, they provide protection and shelter for many different species of fish."

From despair to repair: Dramatic decline of Caribbean coral can be reversed
"With only about one-sixth of the original coral cover left, most Caribbean coral reefs may disappear in the next 20 years, primarily due to the loss of grazers in the region, according to the latest report by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)."

What are Coral Reefs
"Appearing as solitary forms in the fossil record more than 400 million years ago, corals are extremely ancient animals that evolved into modern reef-building forms over the last 25 million years."

Coral Reef Protection: What Are Coral Reefs?
"The mention of coral reefs generally brings to mind warm climates, colorful fishes and clear waters."

Caribbean coral reefs 'will be lost within 20 years' without protection
"Major report warns that loss of grazing fish due to pollution and overfishing is a key driver of region's coral decline."

To Save Coral Reefs, Start With Parrotfish
"Coral reefs are very complex ecosystems, but luckily managing them sustainably is not."

Coral Reef Destruction and Conservation
"Ten percent of the world's reefs have been completely destroyed. In the Philippines, where coral reef destruction is the worst, over 70% have been destroyed and only 5% can be said to be in good condition."

Coral Bleaching: What You Need to Know
"If coral bleaching isn't on your radar yet, it will be soon."

Coral reef
"Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals."

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[lilzemba]

What's really interesting about this to me is that the cost to restore coral reefs is much less than the cost to build an artificial sea barrier, so there is actually a lot of incentive for restoration...

[zzirAquila]

It's important because that's where Nemo and his Dad lives along with Dory I wonder how they're doing

[lekiscool]

There is a fish shop near me, that are rebuilding the coral population from existing coral by cultivating it in their store and then sending it to places that need it. I loved hearing about their efforts to save the reefs. 

[thirtyfootclownfish]

Correction: When the symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae, leave the coral, its known as "bleaching" not "blanching" see Coral Bleaching.

[catha]

There are so many things in our planet that are going extinct and so many problems its unbelievable. I honestly think the world would be better with only 1 million of people instead of 9 billions...   

[gabriel]

We shouldn't destroy nature, it's what keeps alive. Nature is beautiful, leave it alone.

[jackcheesley]

As a Scuba Diver I know it's so important to save the coral reefs, without them our planet will suffer and we will lose one of the most beautiful and mysterious sites on our planet.
Let's work together to save our planet 😊

[SawBlood]

planet earth. so beautiful.

gotta treat it better rather than just focusing on making our lives even easier and more convenient than they already are

[BannedStories]

We live in a world where we fix the uneeded and neglect to notice the beauty, only to act upon it when it is gone.

[pietpiloot]

you'll be amazed how very little people actually know just 1/6 of the coral is left :(

[horseandahalf]

Hey Trace, you mentioned global warming in this episode.  My personal opinions aside, it was recently posted online that NOAA stands accused of altering historical temperature data from the Dust Bowl era...something about that being the hottest day of all time, and then not, and then again.  Could you do a segment on the overall story with this?  To avoid picking sides and starting a maelstrom of craziness, could you perhaps present the existing both sides of the arguments (the data/research that supports global warming and the data/research that refutes it) from a scientific perspective?  Thanks a bunch, and love watching the DNews from all y'all!

[Explicitproductions]

I went to Hawaii last summer and i spent the majority of the time snorkeling because of how amazing the coral reefs/fish were. My back was burnt from it

[igiveupthen]

when the coral turns white from the algae being expelled, its called "bleaching" not

[Seanmmvi]

100% subscribed, love hearing your input on things Trace. When i clicked on this thumbnail i was hoping you were the presenter. 

[bunnykawaii]

TRACE YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE CUTEST SHIRTS OKAY I LOVE THEM. MY FAVORITE ONE IS THE ONE THAT SAYS "IM ON A ROLL" ITS SO CUTE

[TheBFkyle]

I rememberai few years ago i went on a scuba diving hoilday in Egypt and it was simply amazing I see all the different forms of life which are all around the coral, and just how a coral reef looks in real life when you are here it is simply beautiful. If anyone ever gets the chance you should go scuba diving it is amazing to see the under water world it will make you want to protect and make make sure the coral can survive

[isabellakyle]

Great show! Very informative - thanks.

[tyy]

never knew about coral reefs thanks for helping me learn something new :)

[TheRomanRuler]

"live their whole live in one place"
Well, i happen to like my computer...

[stephencassidy]

you still active, , , very cool 4 min video explaining Coral Reefs, I'm covering them in my second year university essay, so tah