The Case for Corals
Coral reefs are an incredibly integral component for life in our oceans. But, there are major reasons why humans should care. Below are some of the most important…
Corals provide advancements in modern medicine. In light of our last year, I can’t imagine anyone objecting to the study of reefs and their inhabitants for life saving drugs. Many modern treatments from cancer treatments to painkillers have been derived from coral species already!
Coastal Protection. Many nations around the globe rely on barrier reefs to protect them from storms at sea. Not to mention, a large amount of these locations are places we love to dive!
Eco-tourism. The Journal of Marine Policy has a great study estimating that over 70 million trips and 16 BILLION dollars a year are the result of tourists visiting these underwater rainforests!
Fishing industry support. Biology 101 teaches us that biodiversity is integral to healthy fish populations, and coral reefs serve as breeding grounds, feeding and cleaning stations, and lifelong homes for thousands of species.
What is your favorite coral species??
Image: National Geographic