Ocean Reefs

Introduction

Reefs are vital breeding grounds for many species, hosting some year round, while others return during migration or to reproduce. 

Reefs protect coastlines and coastal communities from major storms. They provide food and income world wide.

Types of Reef

There are a surprising number of different reef types including some fresh-water types. Here we only explore the saltier biomes, and may be missing a few.

Coral Reefs

These are the most famous and probably the best studied type of reef. The are formed by the skeletons of ancient coral, with new corals fighting for room on top. As they die off, new coral add to the structures. 

The sections after this will predominantly focus on this type of reef, as well as artificial reefs designed to host coral colonies.

Shellfish Reefs

Different species of shellfish have a similar pattern of reef building to coral, with the older animals dying, and younger shellfish attaching to the larger shells. Over time these become stiff and strong enough to host many other species.

Mussel Reefs

Currently the small number programs and organizations focused on helping, restoring, and rebuilding these reefs, have been placed on the Oyster Reef page. This may change later.

Oyster Reefs

These filter feeders clean river, bay, and ocean waters while protecting coastlines. Some places have made it illegal to throw oyster shells into landfills, so check out our Oyster Reef page to see if there is a recycling program near you!

Rocky Reefs

These can be found in the ocean as well as in freshwater habitats. When restoring or building new reefs, rocks need to be large enough to provide adequate space for organisms to attach, and for small animals to hide among.

Chalk Reefs & Sandstone Reefs

Chalk Reefs and Littoral Chalk are a subtype of rocky reef. Made from the compressed shells of ancient sea organisms, they are softer than rock, and easily damaged. These are very rare, but support an abundance of life, including organisms which don't seem to exist anywhere else, perhaps due to the unique chemistry of chalk slowly dissolving into the ocean water.

Worm Reefs

These have been built up by the shells of worms who burrow in colonies, and create structures for other organisms to attach to or hide among.

Ross Worm Reefs

"The tube-building polychaete Sabellaria spinulosa (Ross worm) can form conspicuous biogenic reefs that stabilize the seabed and increase biodiversity by providing a habitat for a multitude of other species. These reefs, however, are assumed to be vulnerable to human-induced physical disturbances of the seabed. In the Greater North Sea, S. spinulosa reefs are recognized to be under threat and worthy of protection." - Oceana

Major Threats

Reefs in Peril: Coral Reef Degradation "Coral reefs are the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world and also the most vulnerable. Threats to coral reefs fall into two principal categories: climate change-induced factors that threaten reefs on a global scale and local factors that cause damage within a more limited geographical area. In 2011, a study by the World Resources Institute reported that 75 percent of coral reefs worldwide were at risk from global and local threats, with a quarter of reefs already damaged beyond repair. Since then, the degradation of coral reefs has continued unabated on a global scale."

The following are not listed in any particular order.

Ocean Acidification

Plastic Pollution

Commercial Fishing

Aquaculture

Water Pollution

Invasive Species

Solutions

Sustainable Tourism

Improvement Techniques

How Scientists Are Restoring The Great Barrier Reef

New Heaven Reef Conservation Program "At the New Heaven Reef Conservation Program, we have been working with artificial reefs for over a decade, and in this article, we are going to explore the history of artificial reefs, and then look at some of the methods we have found to be the most or least successful."

Africa

Seychelles

Asia

Indian Ocean

North America

Caribbean

Programs & Projects

Africa

Seychelles

Asia

Indonesia

Bali

Nusa Penida Island

North America

USA

Louisiana

Oceana

Australia

Coral Labs & Nurseries

North America

Bahamas

San Salvador

USA

Florida

Hawaii

Organizations

International

Africa

Seychelles

Asia

Maldives

Europe


North America

Bahamas

Caribbean 

Costa Rica

USA

Florida

Oceana

Australia 

South America

Bonaire

Colombia

Volunteer Opportunities

North America

Costa Rica

USA

Florida

Hawaii

South America

Bonaire 

Maps

North America

Belize

USA

Florida

South America

Bonaire

Grants & Funding

North America


Caribbean


USA

Florida

Oceana

Australia