The document summarizes the importance of coral reefs to the global economy and environment, and discusses efforts to study and monitor coral reef health in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The School for Field Studies has established a research center on South Caicos to collect long-term data on the local reef system. Researchers use methods like fish surveys and coral bleaching assessments to evaluate the condition of reefs over time. Preliminary results show the reefs have approximately 15% live coral cover dominated by star corals and sea rods. Healthier reefs farther from shipping channels indicate human impacts. Continued monitoring is needed to understand climate change effects on the fragile reef ecosystems.