Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008 -

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Coral Reefs

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What is a coral reef?

Coral reefs are biogenic structures that are ancient even by geological standards; the oldest species of corals are over 450 million years old. The spectacular longevity of corals is a testament to the adaptability of the coral animal, as it has survived gradual but radical climatic and geologic changes during their long tenure on earth. The reef structure itself is the product of biologically mediated calcium carbonate production of the small, individual coral polyp. Text courtesy of IOC See More...

Photo title: Corals

Photo credit: NOAA

The coral reef ecosystem

Coral reefs flourish in shallow, tropical waters that are clear and nutrient poor (oligotrophic). "Occurring almost exclusively between 30 deg N and 30 deg S, they are concentrated in four large tracts: the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean, the south Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean" (Coral World, National Geographic, 2000). Despite the oligotrophic waters, coral reefs create a highly productive, and very efficient, ecosystem. From the photosynthetic algae that live symbiotically within the coral polyps, to the sharks that hunt fish along the reefs, coral reefs support an extremely biodiverse community of marine life. Text courtesy of IOC See More...

Photo title: Coral reef

Photo credit: NOAA

Threats to Coral Reefs

Although coral reefs have survived in the earth's oceans for over 450 million years, they remain highly sensitive to rapid climatic changes and anthropogenic pressures. Presently, the biggest threats to coral health are

global warming, and corresponding sea level and sea temperature rise (which can result in coral bleaching)
sedimentation and pollution
overfishing and
unsustainable and destructive extraction techniques.

Furthermore, coral reefs are very valuable not only ecologically, but to the human population as well. Text courtesy of IOC. The new book "Reefs at Risk. Revisited" 2010 is now available. See More...

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Title

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008 ( DOCUMENT )

Author(s) / Editor(s)

Wilkinson, C. (ed)

Description

This Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008 report is the 5th global report since the GCRMN (Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network), was formed. In English, with French and Spanish summaries. Includes CD-ROM. Also available as 6-page summary brochure with CD-ROM. Each report (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and now 2008) has aimed to present the current status of the world’s coral reefs, the threats to the reefs, and the initiatives being undertaken under the umbrella of ICRI to arrest the decline in the world’s coral reefs. These reports have been produced using the data and information from many coral reef experts around the world. For example 372 experts from 96 countries have contributed to this Status report. Many regional, national and local organisations, governmental, academic, NGO and volunteers have supported the functions of GCRMN. The united goal is to inform the global community on the status of coral reefs, the threats to them and, importantly, to list recommendations to improve coral reef conservation. There is widespread recognition that action is needed urgently, not only to conserve the enormous biodiversity on coral reefs, but also to assist local user communities to improve their livelihoods by ensuring the sustainable use of the reefs.

Keywords

CORAL REEFS;

GCRMN;

MONITORING;

CLIMATE CHANGE;

HABITAT DESTRUCTION

Geography Keywords

ASIA;

PACIFIC;

CARIBBEAN;

ATLANTIC;

RED SEA;