5. They help control erosion by protecting coasts from storms
and waves.
6. In Hawai`i, they also help create waves that are perfect for
surfing
7. and they are important to the states tourist industry.
8. They are a source of medicine.
9. Sadly
10. One-fourth of Earths coral reefs have already been
destroyed.
11. By far the greatest dangers to the coral reef are posed by
man.
12. Corals are highly sensitive to environmental changes .
13. Coral bleaching is when coral turns white and dies. This
causes entire marine ecosystems to vanish.
14. It takes coral 500,000 years to build a coral reef. It has
taken humans less than 100 years to ruin reefs.
15. Healthy reefs = healthy oceans
16. Researchers fear more than 50% of our worlds coral reef
will die in less than 25 years.
17. What are the causes of our reefs dying? How can we prevent
further loss of our coral reefs? Scientists warn that unless things
change all of the remaining reefs may die within your
lifetime.
18. Learn more about coral. Our oceans and coral reefs depend
on people who can make a difference.