Coral reefs are the diverse aquatic systems bound together by the calcium carbonate structures that are discharged by the corals. They are molded by colonies of small organisms found in marine water which is composed of few nutrients. Coral reefs are considered to be important to ocean life for various reasons. The first reason is that they control the levels of carbon dioxide in the water. In this case, the limestone shell of the coral is formed through the ocean’s carbon dioxide processing. In the absence of coral reefs, it means that the levels of carbon dioxide would increase, and in turn, the living organisms would be affected. Secondly, coral reefs are a source of habitat for sea organisms. Research has shown that they are home to over one million animal and plant species ( Graham & Nash, 2013) . For instance, the reefs host the young fish that live offshore. In addition, they form the foundation of other ocean ecosystems. Thirdly, they are considered to be nature’s water filtration system. In this case, coral reefs cannot exist in polluted water. A majority of the corals ingest the particles found in the ocean, and in turn, the quality and clarity of the water are improved. Clean water ensures that the coral reefs and other sea organisms continue thriving. Coral reefs are also beneficial to humans and the overall environment. First, they safeguard the shorelines from surging water and storms. In this case, barrier reefs, for instance, Australia’s massive Great Barrier Reef, act as barriers against the waves by reducing the energy of the waves. Hence, the shorelines are protected, which makes it possible for people to live along them. Secondly, the various types of marine life found in coral reefs are important for human existence. In this case, there are those who consume creatures such as fish and shrimp from the reefs for survival. With regard to the economic benefits of coral reefs, the first benefit is that they enhance tourism. This is because they attract people, for instance, recreational fishers and divers. As a result, they contribute more than 40 % of the export earnings in more than 20 nations ( Graham & Nash, 2013) . Secondly, they are a source of income for people. This is because millions of people across the globe depend on coral reefs for food and employment. Research has shown that the total yearly earnings of the reefs across the world are approximately $ 30 billion ( Graham, Cinner, Norström, & Nyström, 2014) . Thirdly, they have been considered to have medicinal value. At present, some coral reef organisms are being utilized in the treatment of ailments, for instance, HIV and cancer. It has been predicted that there may be the continued establishment of answers to other medical issues in the coral reefs. The benefit that is most significant is the first benefit. The reason is that the earnings from tourism can be utilized in developing other crucial sectors of the economy. Coral reefs are considered to be the most threatened ecosystems across the globe. An estimated 60 percent of coral reefs are considered to be under threat ( Graham, Bellwood, Cinner, Hughes, Norström, & Nyström, 2013) . The first major threat to coral reefs is climate change. In this case, corals do not survive in high-temperature waters. Global warming has at present resulted in enhanced levels of coral bleaching, and the situation has been predicted to increase in severity and frequency in the later years ( Bell, Davy, Jones, Taylor & Webster, 2013) . The second threat is pollution. This is a situation that results from the release of urban and industrial wastes into the ocean waters. In other cases, oil pollution and the release of agrochemicals may end up polluting the water. The pollutants result in the rise of nitrogen levels in the water, which in turn results in algae overgrowth and the subsequent blockage of sunlight. The third threat is careless tourism. Activities such as careless diving and boating take place across the world, hence endangering the coral reefs. In addition, there are situations where tourist resorts have been built and developed directly above the coral reefs. The resorts end up discharging their waste directly into the water surrounding the coral reefs. One strategy for protecting the coral reefs from the threats that they are facing is to make sure that there is reduced discharge of hazardous wastes into the ocean waters by the industries. In this case, it would be important for the industries to come up with appropriate recycling strategies for these wastes ( Graham et al., 2013) . Additionally, the industries may develop effective water treatment plans before releasing the waste into these water bodies. The second strategy should involve the establishment of appropriate policies that regulate the manner in which people need to carry out activities in oceans. In addition, the policies should ensure that tourist resorts are not established directly above the reefs. The two strategies need to be implemented because, as previously stated, a significant portion of coral reefs are under serious threat. Coral reefs are important to ocean life and humans, and hence, they need to be protected at all times. Lastly, the actions need to be mandated by international law because this is an issue that affects several parts of the world. To enhance the success of the strategies, it would be necessary to involve environmental scientists who will always ensure that the policies are being followed. Secondly, it would be necessary to educate the members of the public about the strategies, and by doing so, they will always ensure that their activities do not cause harm to the coral reefs.
References
Bell, J. J., Davy, S. K., Jones, T., Taylor, M. W., & Webster, N. S. (2013). Could some coral reefs become sponge reefs as our climate changes?. Global change biology , 19 (9), 2613-2624.
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Graham, N. A. J., & Nash, K. L. (2013). The importance of structural complexity in coral reef ecosystems. Coral Reefs , 32 (2), 315-326.
Graham, N. A., Bellwood, D. R., Cinner, J. E., Hughes, T. P., Norström, A. V., & Nyström, M. (2013). Managing resilience to reverse phase shifts in coral reefs. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment , 11 (10), 5
Graham, N. A., Cinner, J. E., Norström, A. V., & Nyström, M. (2014). Coral reefs as novel ecosystems: embracing new futures. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability , 7 , 9-14.
