Coral Reefs: Not Just Beautiful Ecosystems but Integral to Human Survival
If you have had the opportunity to go scuba diving or snorkeling over a beautiful coral reef, or perhaps you’ve seen a nature documentary about them.
Or maybe you’ve visited an aquarium and seen corals in tanks.
Or you’ve seen them online on YouTube or social media.
My name is Alexa, and I have been a scuba diver for over 20 years, exploring mostly Florida’s Coral Reef, the area now known as the Kristin Jacobs Aquatic Preserve.
I’m a PADI Divemaster, hold degrees in biomedical science and public health, and instead of becoming a doctor (sorry, mom + dad!) I'm a climate communicator who uses jargon-free language to educate and entertain viewers about sustainability, ocean conservation, composting, and everything in between.
Coral reefs are close to my heart, and some of the world’s most important ecosystems, yet their significance seems to be lost on those with little connection to the ocean. Tucked away into a vast “other world”.
Regardless of where you live, on the coast or inland, coral reefs are important to humans everywhere.
Humans need corals to survive.
I want to tell you about my favorite coral facts, and see if you can connect with corals, because to me, they deserve our attention right now.
Coral is an Animal and has a Symbiotic Relationship with Algae
Yes, corals are animals!
Many confuse corals with plants or rocks, but corals form colonies of polyps, each of which is a multicellular animal.
There are so many fascinating, complex characteristics of corals, but one of my favorites is their symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae.
Actually, you know how corals usually have a vibrant, colorful look?
That’s because of zooxanthellae!
It’s an algae that lives in the coral’s tissues and provides the coloring to the coral skeleton, while also using photosynthesis to turn the carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and help the coral to remove waste.
The coral uses these products to make proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and produces calcium carbonate, facilitating coral growth and reproduction.
Since the coral is an animal, it can’t photosynthesize on its own; it relies on the zooxanthellae.
In return, the coral gives the zooxanthellae a safe home away from predators.
It’s important to note that when coral bleaching has occurred, the coral is not dead.
When unfavorable conditions arise, the zooxanthellae are expelled by the coral and will return if the conditions become favorable again.
When bleaching occurs, corals are vulnerable to disease and mortality due to their exposure to the elements and not being able to adequately feed.
Corals Cover 1% of the Ocean Floor and House ~25% of All Marine life
Coral reefs are the rainforests of the ocean.
Coral reefs hold a density of life that’s not commonly found in other ecosystems – they’re actually considered to be the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth.
Sea turtles, eels, mollusks, lobsters, rays, reef sharks, clams, seahorses, and sponges are only a few of the thousands of creatures that rely on reefs for their survival, according to NOAA.
So many animals depend on coral reefs, humans included.
There’s also a variety of coral species with two main classes: hard or stony corals, and soft corals.
Hard, or stony corals, create a skeleton made of calcium carbonate and are the primary reef-building corals.
Colonial hard corals are made of hundreds to hundreds of thousands of individual polyps, and are cemented together by the calcium carbonate “skeletons” they secrete.
Soft corals, on the other hand, do not produce a calcium carbonate skeleton.
Although soft corals look to be a single large organism, they’re actually colonial as well.
However, probably the worst quality corals have is that they take a LONG time to grow. Soft coral colonies have the growth potential of two to four centimeters per year.
As far as stony coral goes, some branching coral can grow in height or length by as much as 10 cm a year, but some other species, like brain coral, may only grow 0.3 to 2 cm PER YEAR.
Due to its slow growing nature, corals are facing major threats and even near extinction.
Human Dependence on Coral Reefs
It cannot be understated how much humans need biodiversity and thriving ecosystems to survive (and thrive) on planet Earth.
Culturally, we act as if we are separate from nature, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
We ARE nature, and we are destroying our home.
Humans depend on coral reefs for coastline protection.
Reefs act as a barrier on the coast, saving hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure from being destroyed annually by storm surge and hurricanes.
Additionally, humans rely on the fisheries provided by coral reefs, as we source our seafood primarily from reefs.
Over half a billion people globally depend on fish from reefs as their main source of protein in their diets.
Reefs are important to fish populations because coral reefs are the nurseries where many fish lay their eggs and reef fish hang out in their infancy.
Economically, coral reefs generate billions of dollars thanks to coral reefs due to diving tours, recreational fishing trips, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses located near reef ecosystems.
Coral reefs quite literally keep humans employed. Whether it’s scientists, dive instructors, commercial fishers, or many others, coral reefs provide MILLIONS of jobs globally.
Not to mention, corals are also used for medicinal purposes!
Compounds in coral reef animals/plants are now being developed as possible cures for cancer, arthritis, bacterial infections, viruses, and other diseases.
It is believed that coral reefs still have a lot of untapped medicinal potential, and there is much research yet to be done.
And besides its capitalistic value, coral reefs also provide cultural significance, spiritual benefits, and promote psychological well-being.
These are aspects I’ve experienced for myself.
Before a dive, my mind can feel so busy, and I feel like I’m going to burst… but as soon as I’m underwater staring at a reef, my mind clears.
For that moment, nothing else matters. Just me observing a beautiful, teeming ecosystem. It’s one of the best feelings in the world.
My Plea on Behalf of Coral Reefs
Although corals have been around for millions of years, they’re actually delicate organisms and ecosystems.
The truth is: we’re killing our coral reefs.
They face threats due to climate change, diseases, pollution, water quality issues, invasive species, overdevelopment, overfishing, and dangerous fishing/boating practices.
We may not be able to control these factors or stop them completely, but we can diminish the impact of the threats.
This is both an individual and collective effort - because it’s not enough to *stop using straws*, we need the straws to *never be made of plastic again*. We need to *change the system*.
What can you do?
You can advocate for renewable energy and making polluters, like the fossil fuel industry, pay.
You can start composting. Find a nationwide directory for composting services here.
You can sign a pledge to live a more ocean-friendly lifestyle.
You can get on your city’s advisory board for sustainability.
You can advocate for your city to put an ordinance on single-use plastics or certain materials like Styrofoam. Hollywood, Florida, did it.
You can sign petitions and attend cleanups.
Get scuba certified and become a Bleach Watch Observer if you’re in South Florida.
You can write to your elected officials and tell them about how losing our coral reefs is impacting us.
You can talk to other people in your life about coral reefs and the problems they’re facing.
Choose actually reef-safe sunscreen.
I know you feel small, like what can one person do? But one person can make a huge difference.
You can make a difference in your community. Start small.
Join a local organization and see what they’re doing in terms of advocacy.
If there isn’t one, start one!
Never underestimate what one passionate person can do for the world.
Now, let’s take this information and let it galvanize us into action, not despair.
We have time if we act NOW.
Do what you can. Do it imperfectly.
Thank you for reading.
Follow me on Instagram and YouTube @gogreenwithalexa for more information about coral reefs, imperfect sustainability, and civic engagement while having fun!
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