marine ecosystems

• coral reef systems provide:

  • diversity
  • shoreline protection
  • food
  • medcine
  • decoration
  • construction
  • habitats
• South-East Asia has 30% of coral reefs.

  it also has 70% of coral species.
• coral reefs are found in shallow seas with temperatures of 18°C.

  they can be killed when there is too much land sediment.
• coral require salt water and waves to oxygenate.
• it is illegal for coral to be traded internationally.
• human activity is destroying coral due to:

  • pollution
  • onshore development
  • desalination
  • tourism
  • fishing - coral is being removed
• plastic sediment can poison coral due to sufforcating them.

  this is only expected to get worse as humans develop.