Coral Reef; Plays A Crucial Role

ENTRY 4; WEEK 8

In my previous blog posts, formation and different types of coral reefs were observed. This post will edify you on the functions and importance of the coral reef.

Functions Of Coral Reefs

Coral reefs have numerous functions; the following will highlight some of the main functions:

• Protect coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms.

• Provide habitats and shelter for many marine organisms.

• Are the source of nitrogen and other essential nutrients for marine food chains.

• Assist in carbon and nitrogen fixing.

• Helps with nutrient recycling.

• Fish spawn there and juvenile fish spend time there before making their way to the open sea.

• Recreation and Tourism – captures a lot of tourist for fishing and site seeing, which results in great economic stability.

• Medicine- can obtain a lot of treatments and research from the reef to aid in the curing of various illnesses and diseases.

Buccoo Reef, Tobago, WI

• Coral Reefs are important for providing a clear, scientifically-testable record of climatic events over the past million years. This includes records of recent major storms and human impacts that are recorded by the changes in coral growth patterns. 

References

n.d. International Coral Reef Initiative. http://www.icriforum.org/about-coral-reefs/benefits-coral-reefs.

n.d. Tobago Agricultural and Marine Environment (TAME). http://tobagoip.com/2013/10/03/my-first-tame-post/.