Coral reefs: importance

Tropical reefs are highly productive ecosystems. They not only support huge biodiversity but also have great value for human beings.

According to recent estimates, coral reefs provide approximately $ 30 billion of goods and services each year.

Fisheries: Coral reefs are important for the world's fishery. They form about a quarter of marine fish farms and provide income to communities as well as domestic and international fishing boats. An estimated one billion people rely on coral reefs for income from food and fishery. Coral reefs can produce about 15 tons of fish and other seafood per square kilometer per year if properly managed.

Tourism: tourist income from coral reefs is also important. For example, according to the report by the Key West Chamber of Commerce, people visiting Florida Keys earn at least 3 billion dollars per year, while Australia's Great Barrier Reef creates more than $ 1 billion per year. Sustainable coral reef-based tourism can also be an important alternative or additional income source for poor coastal communities in developing countries.

Coastal protection: During storms, hurricanes, typhoons and even the tsunami, coral reefs destroyed the power of the waves. By helping to prevent coastal erosion, floods, and coastal property damage, coral reefs save billions of dollars of insurance and reconstruction expenses each year, reducing the need to build expensive coastal defenses I will.

Sources of Medical Progress: We can expect that coral reef species will contribute to future medical progress. Coral reef organisms have been used to treat diseases such as cancer and AIDS. As long as you are healthy, like tropical forests, you can find answers to coral reef medical problems.

Essential value: For many coastal communities around the world coral reefs and their inhabitants are intricately integrated into cultural tradition. For those people and those who enjoy masks and snorkeling, those who are immersed in a scuba diving three dimensional wonderland, or experience these habitats through the media and books - the world without coral reefs is infinitely poor It will be

Why is this important? Most scientists believe that the ocean is half of the world's oxygen source and accounts for one-third of carbon absorption - there is debate about the role of coral reefs in this positive gas exchange, but it is provided by the ocean It is the most important ecosystem. After all, NOAA estimates that estimating the economic value of coral reef - several factors including tourism and food production - will reach $ 30 billion per year.

There are many negative factors that affect and destroy coral reefs, but having healthy coral reefs has many important advantages. Coral reefs are very important and their value is hard to judge. However, on a global scale, it is estimated that the value of coral reefs is about 375 billion dollars per year (coral reefs 101 3). According to NOAA, coral reefs are huge sightseeing spots that bring billions of dollars each year (why coral 1). Secondly, coral reefs provide rich seafood to humans. Third, coral reefs provide a natural barrier to protect the coast from dangerous waves Finally, coral reefs have very important medicinal value.

In 1998, the President of the United States established Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) to protect and protect coral reefs. CRTF is responsible for mapping and monitoring coral reefs in the United States, investigating the causes of coral reef degradation, including contamination and overfishing, finding solutions to these problems, promoting conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs. As a key member of the CRTF and in accordance with the 2000 Coral Reef Protection Act, NOAA is responsible for protecting coral reef ecosystems.