Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Corals are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters containing few nutrients. Reefs grow best in warm, shallow, clear, sunny, and agitated waters.
Economic values
Coral reefs deliver ecosystem services to tourism, fisheries and coastline protection. The global economic value of coral reefs has been estimated at as much as $US375 billion per year. Coral reefs protect shorelines by absorbing wave energy, and many small islands would not exist without their reef to protect them.
Environmental threats
Coral reefs are dying around the world due to coral mining, agricultural and urban runoff, pollution, overfishing, blast fishing , UV rays, disease, and the digging of canals and pH balance change in ocean etc.
Protection
1. Mass awareness is required.
2. Restricted fishing area should be made in order to save the species for extinction.
3. We should encourage the cultivation of artificial reef.