The mention of coral reefs generally brings to mind warm climates,
colorful fishes and clear waters. However, the reef itself is actually a
component of a larger ecosystem. The coral community is really a system
that includes a collection of biological communities, representing one
of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. For this reason, coral reefs often are referred to as the "rainforests of the oceans.
Coral reefs and their associated communities of seagrasses, mangroves
and mudflats are sensitive indicators of water quality and the
ecological integrity of the ecosystem. They tolerate relatively narrow
ranges of temperature, salinity, water clarity, and other chemical and
water quality characteristics. Reefs thus are excellent sentinels of the
quality of their environment. Proper monitoring of reefs can identify
changes in water quality or impacts from land-based activities.
Monitoring changes in water quality can help local resource managers
understand the implications of actions occurring in watersheds that are
associated with particular coral communities. These connections will
help in development of sound management plans for coral reefs and other
coastal and marine resources.
Coral reefs are vital to the world’s fisheries. They form the nurseries
for about a quarter of the ocean's fish, and thus provide revenue for
local communities as well as national and international fishing fleets.
An estimated one billion people
have some dependence on coral reefs for food and income from fishing.
If properly managed, reefs can yield around 15 tonnes of fish and other
seafood per square kilometre each year.
Tourism revenues generated by coral reefs are also significant. For
example, according to a report by the Key West chamber of commerce,
tourists visiting the Florida Keys in the US generate at least US$3
billion dollars in annual income, while Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
generates well over US$1 billion per year. Sustainably manged coral
reef-based tourism can also provide significant alternative or
additional sources of income to poorer coastal communities in developing
countries.
Coral reefs break the power
of the waves during storms, hurricanes, typhoons, and even tsunamis. By
helping to prevent coastal erosion, flooding, and loss of property on
the shore, the reefs save billions of dollars each year in terms of
reduced insurance and reconstruction costs and reduced need to build
costly coastal defences - not to mention the reduced human cost of
destruction and displacement.
For many coastal societies around the world, coral reefs and their
inhabitants are intricately woven into cultural tradtions. For these
people - as well as for those who have floated with a mask and snorkel,
immersed themselves in the three dimensional wonderland of a scuba dive,
or experienced these habitats through media and books - a world without
coral reefs would be an infinitely poorer place.
Reef structures play an important role as natural breakwaters, which
minimize wave impacts from storms such as cyclones, hurricanes or
typhoons.
Also, their beauty makes coral reefs a powerful attraction for
tourism, and well managed tourism provides a sustainable means of
earning foreign currency and employment for people around the world,
even in remote areas of developing countries.
Several attempts have been made to estimate the value of coral reefs
in terms of dollars. Benefits from coral reefs can be categorized into 2
types: "direct use values" (fisheries and tourism industry), and
"indirect use values" (benefit derived from coastline protection).
Here some tips for Tourist to protect Coral Reef (Source: Coral Reef Institute):
1. If you dive or snorkel – Take only photos and leave only bubbles! Keep your fins, equipment, and hands off the coral reefs. A single touch can kill live corals.
2. Recycle – keeping trash out of oceans and landfills will assist in the water quality.
3. Conserve Water – the less water you use, the less wastewater eventually finds its way back to the ocean.
4. Support organizations that protect coral reefs. Your support is very important
5. Reduce or eliminate fertilizers and pesticides from your life. No matter how far from the ocean environment you are the residues will make their way back to the ocean.
6. Do not anchor on the reef ecosystems. Use mooring buoys when available. If your favorite dive site does not have buoys – organize a project to install them!
7. Do not throw away trash. There is no away! Carry your trash home with you – if others leave trash behind, pick it up and carry it to a proper disposal site. Plastic bags, six-pack rings, and other trash can kill sea life.
8. Respect local guidelines when visiting reefs. Ask at local environmentally friendly businesses how to be a reef-friendly tourist
9. Volunteer for local beach clean-ups and reef clean up programs. Being a part of the solution is better than being part of the problem.
10. Report illegal activities on reef ecosystems. Illegal fishing, improper anchoring, dumping of trash should be reported to proper authorities.
And here tips that source from nature.org:
1. Conserve water: The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater will pollute our oceans.
2. Help reduce pollution: Walk, bike or ride the bus. Fossil fuel emissions from cars and industry raise lead to ocean warming which causes mass-bleaching of corals and can lead to widespread destruction of reefs
3.Use only ecological or organic fertilizers: Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef ecosystem, these products flow into the water system, pollute the ocean, and can harm coral reefs and marine life
4. Dipose of your trash properly: Don't leave unwanted fishing lines or nets in the water or on the beach. ANy kind of litter pollutes the water and can harm the reef and the fish.
5. Plant a tree: Trees reduce runoff into the oceans. You wi;; also contribute to reversing the warming of our planet and the rising temperatures of our oceans.
6. Contact your government representatives: Demand they take action to protect corl reefs, stop sewage pollution of our oceans, expand marine protected areas and take steps to reverse global warming.
7. Spread the word: Remember your own excitement at learning how important the planet's coral reefs are to us and the intricate global ecosystem. Share this excitement and encourage others to get involved.
The Last: "We
don't have to be a scientist to have a positive impact on coral reefs,
Just Do Eco-Tourism when you visit beach and get snorkeling or diving"
