Importance of coral reefs

• Coral reefs are important for many reasons. Most importantly, they provide protection and shelter for many different species of fish. Without coral reefs, these fish are left homeless with nowhere to live and have their babies.


• Not only do these fish increase the diversity of our world, but also reef fish and molluscs feed between 30 and 40 million people every year. They also make beautiful pets and the money made by catching and selling these animals provides many people with an income so that they can feed their families.


• And coral reefs are very important in controlling how much carbon dioxide is in the ocean water. Inside the sac of each coral polyp lives a one-celled algae called zooxanthellae (zoo-zan-thel-y). The algae gives off oxygen and other nutrients that the coral polyp needs to live and in return the polyp gives the algae carbon dioxide and other substances the algae needs. That is why coral reefs grow so near the surface of the water where it is the sunniest-the algae need sunshine for photosynthesis. Without coral, the amount of carbon dioxide in the water will rise dramatically and that would affect all living things on Earth.

• Coral reefs are very important because they protect coasts from strong currents and waves by slowing down the water before it gets to shore. That is why they are called barrier reefs. They provide a barrier between the ocean and the shore.