EPQ notes – Coral Reefs
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Most productive ecosystems in the world – marine equivalents of tropical rainforests.
Existed for 450 million years. Form from debris of animals and fish as well as existing coral.
Reefs cover 600 000 square kilometres of area of the earth.
Polluted water can be lethal to coral reefs
Changes in temperature of the water can cause algae on the reefs to die and be ejected
from the reef.
Research Q1 – what are the main reasons for suggesting it is
important to protect and preserve coral reefs?
ENDANGERED SPECIES (book) pg 170-174
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Reefs provide food and shelter for a vast array of marine life (plants and animals). The most
diverse being situated in South-East Asia and Northern Australia.
There are more species of fish found on coral reefs than in any other habitats in the sea.
Seabirds congregate near reefs as small coral reef islands provide undisturbed breeding sites
for birds: (boobies, frigate birds, gulls and terns).
Corals are also home to a huge variety of invertebrates: molluscs, crustaceans, starfish, sea
urchins etc.
4000 species of invertebrates on the ‘Great Barrier Reef’ alone.
MEDICINAL PURPOSES pg 171-172
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Potential anti-cancer drugs have been found on coral reefs.
Prostaglandins as well as ultraviolet blocker (sun cream) have also been found on reefs.
Could be vital for medicinal development.
THREATS TO REEFS pg 172-173
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Humans to blame...
Bleaching of coral reefs causing serious harm – e.g. Caribbean reefs.
The ‘greenhouse effect’ as a result of global warming reefs are badly affected.
Overfishing by humans removes predator fish that prey on starfish and urchins – which eat
away the coral reefs.
Manmade buildings such as airports, roads, houses, hotels etc have affected over 70
countries coral reefs.
Soil erosion and siltation affects 50 countries reefs.
Over-exploitation through tourism has also caused great damage to reefs.
Coral mining
Fish removed to be put in aquariums are paralysed by use of cyanide to paralyse them. this
harms and kills much of the other reef life in the area.
CONSERVATION pg 173
 300 protected areas in 65 countries. With 600 more being recommended for protection.
 Reefs used for research projects, education, recreation and commercial fishing.
 Silt curtains erected around dredging and mining sites prevent sediment from spreading to
the reefs.
 Artificial reefs built from bamboo can increase fish populations.
 Local people included in conservation projects.
 Ban fishing in areas where reefs are damaged.
 Low-level tourism as a source of income to the local area.
 The economic importance of reefs give huge incentives for protecting them.
CORAL REEFS AND ISLANDS (book) pg 171-180
Economic importance of reefs.
Thriving coral reefs and mangrove swamps are nursery grounds for fish, lobsters and
prawns. These migrate later in life to offshore waters.
Hugely important for providing fish for fishing industries and fishermen.
Tourism interest can contribute heavily to local economies.
Reservoirs for biological diversity.
RESEARCH – biological research into EVOLUTION.
As humans we have a moral obligation to protect other species of animals in the world and
appreciate their beauty and importance.
Protect coastal regions from waves and sea storms.
MEDICINAL PURPOSES pg 175
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Anti-cancer and anti-AIDS reef creatures being identified.
Could contribute greatly to medical breakthroughs in the future.
This is a great incentive to try to protect and preserve coral reefs.
Research Q2 – what are the main reasons for suggesting it
isn’t important to protect and preserve coral reefs?
THE GREENPEACE BOOK OF CORAL REEFS (book)
HUMAN USE pg 36-39
 Hospitality – people live in areas near coral reefs.
 They supply a rich food source and raw materials which these people require to live. For
example they use shells and coral rock to build their homes.
 Shells from the reef are used for jewellery which stimulates the local economy and can
improve the quality of the local people’s lives.
 Fishermen thrive on coral reefs.
 Jobs supplied by the reef – ECONOMIC BENEFITS.
TOURISM pg 127-131
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Cayman Islands Coral Reefs is a hugely popular resort.
Small boats and ferries have to be used to transport the tourists.
Fuels the local economy which is reliant on the tourism to provide jobs and economy.
Developing countries are mainly reliant on reefs as a source of economic income.
Improves standards of living for the locals.
In Hawaii $20million profited from scuba diving every year.
DIVERS pg 132-134
 Enormous increase in the popularity of scuba diving. New technology to be used in scuba
diving.
 Divers have to feed the fish and tame them to ensure the tourists are safe to dive on the
reef.
 This makes the reef more enclosed and confined.
 Photographers also need to do this same method in order to take good pictures of the life
on the reef.
Human benefits are more important than the preservation of the coral reef. We should therefore
use them for our own benefit and should be allowed to exploit them as we please. We have much
bigger issues to be concentrating on, for example global warming or terrorism.
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The expense of preserving, repairing and maintaining coral reefs is also a reason not to. E.g.
Exhibit 2. Ex-USS Spiegel Grove Total Project Costs
PCB sampling protocol and removal
$75,000
Reorienting the vessel
$550,000
Towing and berthing
$125,000
Other clean-up and scuttling preparation and
execution
$550,000
Ship clean-up time
7 months
Project duration
8 years