what is the importance of a coral reef?"" (One page paper)
Answers
Answer:
The Ecosystem of the Coral Reef Coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive communities on Earth. They are found in the warm, clear, shallow waters of tropical oceans worldwide. Reefs have functions ranging from providing food and shelter to fish and invertebrates, to protecting the shore from erosion.
Answer:
Explanation:Functions of Coral Reefs: Coral reefs are important for many different reasons aside from supposedly containing the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. They:
protect coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms
provide habitats and shelter for many marine organisms
are the source of nitrogen and other essential nutrients for marine food chains
assist in carbon and nitrogen fixing
help with nutrient recycling.
This is why large numbers of marine species live in reefs. Other reasons why they are so important include:
The fishing industry depends on coral reefs because many fish spawn there and juvenile fish spend time there before making their way to the open sea
The Great Barrier Reef generates more than1.5 billion dollars every year for the Australian economy, from fishing and tourism
The study of coral reefs is important for providing a clear, scientifically-testable record of climatic events over the past million years or so. This includes records of recent major storms and human impacts that are recorded by the changes in coral growth patterns.