Part 3: How important are coral reefs to our environment?

Coral reefs are tremendously important economic and environmental resources. They offer these and other benefits to our environment:

• Coral reefs provide habitat to a number of fish and marine species, including many that we rely on for food and economic purposes. They support a complex and biodiverse community, creating a biologically rich oasis in waters that otherwise are not highly productive.
• Reefs protect harbors and beaches from the heavy wave action of coastal storms, keeping shorelines from being washed away and creating safe anchorages for boats.
• Coral reefs provide an important recreational and aesthetic resource for people visiting or living in coastal areas. People use coral reefs for fishing, underwater photography, scuba diving, and snorkeling.
• Reefs serve as a laboratory for students and scientists to study and learn about complex ecological processes. In addition, reefs yield biological treasures that are increasingly being recognized as natural sources of biomedical chemicals.