Coral Reefs - Support Systems and Goods

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Life Support Systems:

Biodiversity:

Home to over 25% of all known marine fish

4000 species of reef living fish and 800 species of reef building corals have been identified

Shoreline Protection:

Buffer coasts from wave erosion and the impact of storms at a lower cost than artificial defences

Green Lungs:

Helps to regulate acidity of water by absorbing carbon dioxide

Nutrient Cycle:

As corals break down and die it provides nutrients and food for other species

Recreation:

Tourism - generates $5.7 billion to the Australian economy

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Goods:

Food:

20% of animal protein consumed comes from marine environments

Coral reefs provide 25% of the total fish catch

Reef fisheries feed 1 billion people

Medicines:

Algae and sponges yield bioactive compounds used by the pharmaceutical industry

Raw Materials:

Coral reefs can be mined for limestone for construction

Knowledge:

Can be used for education and research - ideal habitats because of their shallow water and easy accessibility from the shore

Aquarium Trade:

Soft corals, sea anenomes, sea horses and small tropical fish can be used for aquarium trade

Black coral can be used for jewellery