Coral Reefs

Introduction

Coral 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.

Coral reefs 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.

Coral Gardens

"The main characteristic of a coral garden is a relatively dense aggregation of colonies or individuals of one or more coral species. Coral gardens can occur on a wide range of soft and hard seabed substrata. For example, soft‐bottom coral gardens may be dominated by solitary scleractinians, sea pens or certain types of bamboo corals, whereas hard‐bottom coral gardens are often found to be dominated by gorgonians, stylasterids, and/or black corals" - OSPAW: Coral Gardens 

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.

Acid Rain

Ocean Acidification

Oil Industry

Not only does the oil industry contribute to climate change, but their spills and extraction practices cause even more direct harm to coral and other ocean life.

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."

International

Africa

Seychelles

Asia

Indian Ocean

North America

Caribbean

Programs & Projects

International

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

International

North America

Costa Rica

USA

Florida

Hawaii

South America

Bonaire 

Maps

International

North America

Belize

USA

Florida

South America

Bonaire

Grants & Funding

North America


Caribbean

USA

Florida

Oceana

Australia

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