Why are reef ecosystems important?

The physical structure of a coral reef creates a breakwater just offshore, slowing wave action and protecting the coast from flooding and erosion caused by storms and hurricanes. As sea levels rise, the reefs tamp down on the size of incoming waves, keeping flooding to a minimum. These services are valued at more than four billion dollars worldwide—more when large hurricanes or cyclones threaten coastal cities. Without reefs, these coastal areas would have to invest in substantial infrastructure to prevent flooding and erosion.

Such coastal regions also benefit from the fisheries generated by coral reefs. Millions of people around the world rely on fish as their primary source of protein. Some people fish along reefs, where schools of fish are abundant. Commercial fisheries typically harvest fish well away from the reefs, which can be easily damaged by boats and equipment. But as many as half of the fish netted by these operations spend some of their life cycle in the nooks and crannies of coral reefs, where they can more easily find food and are themselves protected from predators. Fish aren’t the only source of protein available on the reefs. Lobsters, shrimp, crabs, and more are also harvested for human consumption.

Fisheries linked to coral reefs are a multi-billion-dollar industry. Fishing provides a livelihood for millions of people, driving economic growth around the world. Credit: Pixabay

In addition to providing food, fisheries linked to coral reefs are a multi-billion-dollar industry. Fishing provides a livelihood for millions of people, driving economic growth around the world. Recreational fisheries, too, play a major role in this sector, adding more than $100 million dollars a year to the U.S. economy alone.

In addition to recreational fishing, coral reefs are a major attraction for tourists, which spend money on dive tours, snorkeling, hotels, restaurants, and other forms of entertainment. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, for example, drew more than 26 million visitors in just one year, adding more than six billion Australian dollars to the economy of Queensland. Two U.S. states, Hawaii and Florida, together generate more than two billion dollars a year from tourism.

Coral reefs are also important sources of pharmaceuticals. Scientists have discovered antiviral drugs and isolated antibiotic compounds that can be used to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Other drugs include those used to fight cancer or treat chronic pain. Some of these were developed from substances found in corals, others from substances found in other organisms, such as sponges and cone snails, that live on coral reefs. In addition, the bone-like skeleton of hard corals can be used to promote human bone growth and regeneration.

Because so many marine organisms spend at least some of their life on a coral reef, healthy reefs play an outsized role in maintaining marine biodiversity. Research shows that biologically diverse ecosystems function better and are more resistant to stressors, so maintaining healthy reefs is a priority for marine scientists.