2. Benefits of a Coral Reef
• 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.
3. Threats of a Coral Reef
• Coral reefs are also being
degraded by many other
factors. The list of
problems can seem
endless: overfishing, fishi
ng using cyanide and
dynamite, pollution from
sewage and agriculture,
massive outbreaks of
predatory
starfish, invasive
species, and
sedimentation from poor
land use practices.
