Coral reefs, Definition, Benefits,& Impacts Damage By Sumar Hady Atmodjo

 

   The sea is full of biological wealth, including biological and animal resources. One of the important components of marine life is coral reefs.

Then this raises a question of myself

• What are the benefits of coral reefs?

• What would happen if there were no coral reefs? Or what if coral reef disappear magically?

 

Let's look at the answer

   Coral reefs are made up of small groups of organisms called polyps. The animal has a unique shape and various colors, and can produce CaCO3. Coral reefs are a habitat for various species of marine plants, marine animals, and other marine microorganisms

Then the benefits of coral reefs are as

A. Residence Various living organisms

Sea plants use coral reefs as a place to live, but in fact it is not only marine plants. Various small fish and crabs also live in coral reefs

B. Able to produce oxygen

Juka coral reefs play an important role in maintaining the stability of seawater quality, namely by playing a role in producing oxygen in the sea. So that sea water can be more comfortable for aquatic life to live in

C. Coastal Protection from Sea Waves Impact

Coral reefs can reduce the impact of behavior on the beach due to the waves, because coral reefs act like seabed walls.

D. Basic Medicines

Various types of algae and marine plants and small animals around coral reefs are believed to have economic potential, namely to be used as medicine, cosmetic ingredients, antibiotics and even believed to prevent cancer.

E. Attraction

Coral reefs have a dazzling beauty so that they can bring tourists to see their beauty.

F. Food Sources

Due to the large number of living things around the coral reefs, many fishermen catch small fish for consumption or resale.

G. Source of cultural seeds

Recently, the demand for fish and seaweed has increased, resulting in fishermen to cultivate several types of marine life.

 

So what will happen if there are no coral reefs?

Maybe you are curious, what will happen if coral reefs are lost,

   So the answer is, Damage to the food chain, and it will even cause to water quality to decrease drastically, especially the coast, the price of certain fish is likely to increase, the abrasion of the shoreline is getting wider. And if left for a prolonged period of time it can result in the extinction of fish and sea creatures on earth on a large scale.

 

And if coral reefs are important, then why are so many coral reefs being damaged?

 

The answer is simple

Because of human greed and because of the dirty nature which is still very difficult for most humans to get rid of. The behavior of littering is finally allowed to flow into the sea, causing damage to coral reefs.