© Shutterstock

A delicate world -

Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems, often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea." To make coral, tiny animals known as polyps secrete a rocky chalk-like exoskeleton made up of calcium carbonate. Over many years (in some cases, hundreds), this process produces what we know as coral reefs.

© Shutterstock

A grand purpose -

Coral reefs provide habitat and shelter for countless marine species, supporting an intricate food web. These ecosystems are vital for coastal protection, tourism, fisheries, and pharmaceutical discoveries.

© Getty Images

Diversity -

Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, but support an estimated 25% of all marine species. This is truly a marvelous showcase of their incredible biodiversity.

© Getty Images 

Great Barrier Reef -

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, with over 2,900 individual reefs stretched over 1,400 miles (2,300 km). But despite its size and importance, the Great Barrier Reef is disappearing at an alarming rate, along with thousands of other reefs around the world.

© Getty Images 

Climate change -

One of the leading causes of coral reef decline is climate change. Human actions, such as burning fossil fuels, are changing the world’s climate by warming the air and oceans. Even ships and divers affect coral reefs through pollution and physical damage.

© Getty Images

Coral bleaching -

Rising ocean temperatures cause corals to expel the algae that live in their tissues, which turns them white. This is known as “coral bleaching,” and is the first major indicator that a coral reef is dying.

© Getty Images

Diseases -

Bleached corals are more vulnerable to disease and death, leading to widespread reef degradation. Sometimes the coral can recover before it’s too late, but this is often not the case.

© Getty Images

No recovery -

Coral diseases can be exacerbated by stressors like pollution and climate change. They have devastated coral populations in certain regions, and many have been unable to recover.

© Getty Images

Ocean acidification -

Another consequence of climate change is ocean acidification, which is when the overall pH of the ocean is decreased due to an increase in carbon dioxide. Acidification reduces the availability of calcium carbonate, an essential element for coral growth.

© Shutterstock

Pollution -

Pollution is a major threat to coral reefs; it includes agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, and marine debris.

© Getty Images

Fertilizers -

As fertilizers are used in agriculture, rainwater flows from farms into the oceans and pulls nutrient runoff from these fertilizers along with it. This can lead to algal blooms, which suffocate corals and disrupt the delicate balance of reef ecosystems.

© Getty Images

Fishing -

Overfishing and destructive fishing practices, such as blast fishing and cyanide fishing, damage coral reefs and deplete fish populations.

© Getty Images

Urbanization -

Another way that coral habitats are destroyed is through coastal development, which includes dredging, land reclamation, and construction. Urbanization like this increases sedimentation and smothers corals.

© Shutterstock

Tourism -

Tourism is another major factor in coral destruction. Although coral reefs have tough exoskeletons, they are actually quite fragile. Corals often sustain physical damage from snorkelers and divers, and even from boat anchors.

© Shutterstock

Mining -

Corals are also mined so that they can be used for construction materials and souvenirs. This has further contributed to reef degradation and has caused entire species to collapse.

© Getty Images

Other species -

Invasive species that are introduced through ship ballast water or aquarium trade can outcompete native species and disrupt reef dynamics.

© Shutterstock

Disasters -

Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, cyclones, and tsunamis, can cause physical damage to coral reefs and hinder their recovery. Although this damage is not caused by anything man-made, corals are made more vulnerable to disasters like this due to human actions.

© Getty Images

Food -

Loss of coral reefs can lead to declines in fish stocks, which can drastically affect the food security and livelihoods for millions of people who depend on reef fisheries.

© Getty Images

Economic loss - Coastal communities that are reliant on reef-based tourism suffer economic losses due to degraded coral ecosystems.

© iStock

Protecting coral reefs -

Over the past few years, there has been a growing understanding that coral reefs require crucial protection and restoration in order to preserve them for the future of our planet.

© Shutterstock

Coral restoration -

The Coral Restoration Foundation, based in the US, is the largest reef restoration organization in the world, dedicated to turning the tide for these critical ecosystems. And this is one of many operations around the world that aim to help the ocean.

© Shutterstock

Coral gardening -

Many coral restoration projects have aimed to use various methods to rebuild damaged reef habitats, including coral gardening and 3D printing artificial reefs that can help protect existing species.

© Shutterstock

Conservation -

Conservation strategies for coral reefs include establishing marine protected areas, implementing sustainable fishing practices, and reducing pollution.

© Shutterstock

Further research -

Research into coral resilience and adaptation to climate change can inform conservation strategies and restoration efforts. Indeed, scientists have worked closely with coral reefs to identify methods that could help them grow in harsher environments.

© Getty Images

Satellites -

Imaging from satellites has assisted many organizations, including NASA, in keeping track of corals over the span of decades. This data helps us understand how corals are affected by various events and what can be done to reverse the damage.

© Getty Images

Awareness -

Public awareness and education campaigns raise awareness about the importance of coral reefs and the need for conservation action.

© Shutterstock

Funding -

Community engagement and involvement can help empower local stakeholders to participate in coral reef conservation initiatives. After all, many of the challenges faced by conservation efforts are due to a lack of funds.

© Shutterstock

Global cooperation -

The primary concern with coral reefs is that it requires a global perspective, since issues on a worldwide scale have contributed to the decline of corals. It isn’t confined to only one individual reef. Indeed, international cooperation is essential for addressing global threats to coral barriers.

© Shutterstock

Sustainability - Sustainable development practices, especially in urbanization, can help mitigate human impact on coral reef ecosystems.

© Getty Images

For the future -

Legal frameworks have also been established to protect coral reefs, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. One thing is certain: urgent action is needed to mitigate the multiple stressors threatening coral reefs and to ensure their survival for future generations.

Sources: (NASA) (Catalyst Planet) (GVI) (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) (Earth.Org)

See also: The world's most colorful coral reefs

© Shutterstock