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    Coastal Reef

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    Shanice Smith
    Coral reefs are marine ecosystems composed of calcium carbonate secreted by corals. They provide habitat for over 1 million aquatic species and benefits billions of people through food, coastal protection, tourism and fisheries. Coral reefs serve crucial roles like coastal protection by absorbing wave energy, supporting fisheries, and being biodiversity hotspots, despite covering less than 0.1% of the ocean floor. Threats to coral reefs and coastal habitats include pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change, underscoring the importance of conservation and sustainable practices.

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    Coastal Reef

    Uploaded by

    Shanice Smith
    11 views18 pages
    Coral reefs are marine ecosystems composed of calcium carbonate secreted by corals. They provide habitat for over 1 million aquatic species and benefits billions of people through food, coastal protection, tourism and fisheries. Coral reefs serve crucial roles like coastal protection by absorbing wave energy, supporting fisheries, and being biodiversity hotspots, despite covering less than 0.1% of the ocean floor. Threats to coral reefs and coastal habitats include pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change, underscoring the importance of conservation and sustainable practices.

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    Coral reefs are marine ecosystems composed of calcium carbonate secreted by corals. They provide habitat for over 1 million aquatic species and benefits billions of people through food, coastal protection, tourism and fisheries. Coral reefs serve crucial roles like coastal protection by absorbing wave energy, supporting fisheries, and being biodiversity hotspots, despite covering less than 0.1% of the ocean floor. Threats to coral reefs and coastal habitats include pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change, underscoring the importance of conservation and sustainable practices.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    11 views18 pages

    Coastal Reef

    Uploaded by

    Shanice Smith
    Coral reefs are marine ecosystems composed of calcium carbonate secreted by corals. They provide habitat for over 1 million aquatic species and benefits billions of people through food, coastal protection, tourism and fisheries. Coral reefs serve crucial roles like coastal protection by absorbing wave energy, supporting fisheries, and being biodiversity hotspots, despite covering less than 0.1% of the ocean floor. Threats to coral reefs and coastal habitats include pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change, underscoring the importance of conservation and sustainable practices.

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    Coral Reefs

    What is a Coral
    Reef?
    A coral reef is a marine ecosystem composed of
    calcium carbonate secreted by corals, which are
    marine invertebrates. Corals form colonies of
    genetically identical polyps that secrete a hard
    exoskeleton of calcium carbonate, creating the
    structure of the reef over time. Coral reefs are found
    in shallow, clear waters of tropical and subtropical
    oceans, where they provide habitats for a diverse
    array of marine life.
    Purpose of Coral Reefs
    Acting as natural barriers Delivering a range of
    Providing a natural against strong waves, ecosystem services like
    habitat for many fish protecting land during natural coastal protection, food

    and marine fauna. disasters such as typhoons, security, nutrient cycling

    cyclones, storms, or floods. and carbon fixation.


    Purpose of Coral Reefs
    Providing habitat, feeding,
    Benefiting an estimated 1
    spawning, and nursery
    billion people worldwide
    grounds for over 1 million
    through food, coastal
    aquatic species, including
    protection, and income
    commercially harvested fish
    from tourism and fisheries.
    species.
    Importance of Coral
    Reef
    Coral reefs are essential ecosystems that provide numerous benefits to both marine life and human societies.

    1. They serve as living laboratories for scientific research and education


    2. Biodiversity Hotspots: Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet,
    supporting an estimated 25% of all marine species, despite covering less than 0.1% of the ocean floor.
    3. Coastal Protection: Coral reefs play a crucial role in protecting coastlines from erosion and storm
    damage by absorbing wave energy and reducing the force of incoming waves. Healthy reefs act as
    natural barriers, helping to stabilize shorelines and prevent coastal erosion.
    4. Fisheries and Food Security: Coral reefs are vital for coastal communities as they support important
    fisheries. Many fish species rely on coral reefs for food, shelter, and breeding grounds. Reef fish are a
    crucial source of protein for millions of people worldwide, contributing to food security and
    Coastal
    Protecti
    on
    Coastal protection is the measures
    aimed at protecting the coast against
    coastline retreat, thus protecting
    settlement infrastructure. Coastal
    Protection methods include Hard
    Engineering and Soft Engineering
    Methods.
    Hard Engineering
    Method!
    Engineeri
    ng

    Hard engineering involves the


    building of artificial structures

    Methods
    that aim to prevent erosion
    Sea Wall- Large walls constructed from concrete,
    steel or stone that are located along the shoreline of
    beaches. Sea walls are used to protect cliffs from up
    land erosion and is a barrier to flooding.

    Gabion- Bundles of rocks in mesh location at cliff


    bases and can be used to reduce the impact of
    waves

    Revetment- Slanted structures made from concrete,


    woods or rock alone a cliff and they are used to
    prevent erosion as it absorbs waves energy

    Coastal/Tidal barrage- These are partly submerge


    dam like structure that control the tidal flow and
    are used to create a more consistent water level that
    can be used for hydroelectricity
    Engineeri
    ng

    Soft engineering aims to


    work with and complement
    Methods
    the physical environment by
    using natural coastal defense
    methods.
    Beach nourishment- Used to increase the distance
    a wave has traveled thus slowing it down and
    preventing erosion

    Dune regeneration- Dunes acts as a barrier and


    absorb waves energy reducing erosion and
    protecting against flood

    Afforestation- this minimises sand drift and erosion

    Mangrove planting- Keep soil in place which


    dissipated waves energy and prevent erosion

    Coral reef preservation and enhancements- Reduces


    waves energy
    Sustainability of Fishing
    Industry
    The sustainability of the fishing industry is a complex and pressing issue.
    Overfishing, driven by increasing demand for seafood, poses a significant threat to
    marine ecosystems. Effective fisheries management is key, involving science-based
    strategies to set catch limits, monitor fish stocks, and implement regulations. By
    reducing bycatch through innovations in fishing gear and methods, the industry can
    minimize unintended harm to non-target species. Sustainable aquaculture practices
    also play a crucial role in meeting seafood demands without jeopardizing wild fish
    populations. Certification programs, such as the Marine Stewardship Council
    (MSC), provide consumers with assurance that their seafood choices support
    environmentally responsible practices. The collaboration between industry,
    policymakers, and consumers is essential for a harmonious balance between
    seafood consumption and the health of our oceans.
    Threats To Coastal
    Habitats
    Coastal habitats face an array of threats
    that require urgent attention. Pollution,
    stemming from industrial runoff, plastic
    waste, and oil spills, jeopardizes water
    quality and marine biodiversity. Habitat
    destruction is accelerated by coastal
    development, leading to the degradation
    of crucial ecosystems like mangroves
    and coral reefs. Climate change
    intensifies these challenges, with rising
    sea levels, ocean acidification, and
    extreme weather events wreaking havoc
    on coastal regions.
    Preservation of
    Coastal Habitats
    Preservation efforts involve creating
    marine protected areas, sustainable
    development, and restoration projects
    like beach nourishment. Public
    awareness campaigns are vital to garner
    support for conservation, emphasizing
    collective responsibility for the well-
    being of coastal ecosystems and the
    benefits they provide to both marine life
    and communities.
    References
    Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

    Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

    World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

    Newspaper article

    https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/letters/20150306/
    setting-record-straight-coral-reefs

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