Why should coral reefs be saved?

Answer 1

I've recently done research in this topic for my college speech...

Coral Reefs are a key part of the oceans ecosystem. They help protect fish and provide food and shelter for them. Some scientists even believe that the stuff that coral is made out of has many medical purposes. They actually have calcium pills from coral. They believe that coral could even have a cure for cancer some day.

So yeah that's some basics about the stuff I found out...

Answer 2

The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the largest coral reef in the world, almost 2000km long, with its coral cays and islands spreading over 300,000 square kilometres. Considered one of the wonders of the natural world, the Reef is unique for being visible from Earth's orbit. It was placed on the World Heritage List in 1981 because of all its colourful marine life and its unique ecosystem. The Great Barrier Reef is significant for its scientific value: the health of the Reef points to the health of the ocean, and the creeks and rivers that feed into it, as well as signifying the general effects of pollution. It is of considerable concern that numbers of unique species such as dugong and loggerhead turtles have declined significantly since the 1960s, largely due to human intervention. The Reef shelters many endangered species. On an economic note, the Great Barrier Reef generates $AU2 billion in tourism dollars every year. All countries trade on their commodities, and tourism is one of Australia's. To lose the reef would be to lose an enormous source of trade for Australia.

Answer 3

The Great Barrier Reef does not have an official listing of endangered, but it is shrinking, and it is unknown by how much. Climate scientists who subscribe to the theory of anthropogenic global warming (i.e. caused by man's activities) predict that the Great Barrier Reef may lose up to 95% of its coral by the middle of the current century. Although the coastline parallel to the Great Barrier Reef has been settled by Europeans for less than 200 years, these scientists believe that the Reef has been shrinking by 20% every 100 years.

Climate scientists who subscribe to the theory that global warming is cyclical perhaps have a less drastic view, as they believe that the coral will regenerate, as it has apparently done so in the past. It is a very emotive topic.

However, it should be noted that pollution and chemical runoff pose a very real threat to the reef. The water quality of the reef is affected by sediment and nutrients, and 80% of this is caused by cattle grazing on the land adjacent to the reef. Mud and chemical runoff tend to limit the sunlight that reaches the coral, causing it to die off, and they increase the macro-algae, which is a weed.

Tourism is a threat to the reef, as tourist boats damage the delicate framework of the reef; fishing and pollution left behind by visitors also is a threat.

It should also be noted that some 40 species which live in and around the Great Barrier Reef are listed as endangered.

Answer 4

It is beautiful.

Many species of animals live only there.

It protects the Australian eastern coast.

hello! I've been snorkeling their once, and it was breathtaking. I saw all sorts of fish darting in and out of crevices, and the bright coral looked great. Just because it is amazing is more than good enough for a reason to protect it!

Answer 5

The Great Barrier Reef, like any natural habitat, faces numerous threats, largely as a result of human impact. Although it does not have an official listing of endangered, it is shrinking, and it is unknown by how much, or whether this is permanent. Climate scientists who subscribe to the theory of anthropogenic global warming (i.e. caused by man's activities) predict that the Great Barrier Reef may lose up to 95% of its coral by the middle of the current century. Although the coastline parallel to the Great Barrier Reef has been settled by Europeans for less than 200 years, these scientists believe that the Reef has been shrinking by 20% every 100 years.

Climate scientists who subscribe to the theory that global warming is cyclical perhaps have a less drastic view, as they believe that the coral will regenerate, as it has apparently done so in the past. There is evidence that the coral goes down much deeper than first thought, and this is an important factor in its regeneration. It is a very emotive topic.

Pollution and chemical runoff pose a very real threat to the reef. The water quality of the reef is affected by sediment and nutrients, and 80% of this is caused by cattle grazing on the land adjacent to the reef. Mud and chemical runoff tend to limit the sunlight that reaches the coral, causing it to die off, and they increase the macro-algae, which is a weed.

Tourism is a threat to the reef, as tourist boats damage the delicate framework of the reef; fishing and pollution left behind by visitors also is a threat.

A natural threat to the Great Barrier Reef is the Crown of Thorns starfish. Outbreaks of this starfish are a constant threat to the animals of the Great Barrier Reef, though in small numbers it poses no threat.

There are about 40 species which live in and around the Great Barrier Reef which are listed as endangered, mostly due to human impact.

Answer 6

It is a unique andbeautiful Natural resource that aside from its beauty also serves to protect an enormous variety of sea life that has a bearing on the general health of the oceans. every from of life on earth is important to the well being of the whole, and there fore needs to be protected from destructive influences.

Answer 7

Maintain the world's largest coral sea clean

Answer 8

because it just does because it's home to lots of animals and stuff.