Coral Reefs: The Rainforests of our Oceans

Coral reefs are found in the tropical seas photic zone where there is mild wave action, not so strong to tear the reef apart yet strong enough to stir the water and deliver sufficient food and oxygen. Coral reefs also need nutrient-rich, clear, warm, shallow water to grow. Reefs are made of organisms that are composed of calcium carbonate.

Coral reefs are estimated to cover 284,300 square kilometres of our oceans.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest reef in the world, located off the coast of Belize, Central America. An abundance of reefs can be found around the Maldives as well. Coral reefs support an abundance of sea life and biodiversity. However, human activities are harming our coral reefs in a great way. Pollution, sea traffic and overfishing have caused the greatest destruction to our reef systems. if destruction increases at the current rate, 70% of the world’s coral reefs will have disappeared within 50 years. This loss would be an economic loss for peoples living in the tropics. It is estimated that about 60% of the world’s reefs are at risk due to destructive, human-related activities. The threat to the health of reefs is particularly strong in Southeast Asia, where an enormous 80% of reefs are considered endangered.