The Importance of Coral Reefs and Mangroves
Corals and mangroves help a lot not only for our ecosystem but also for us humans. So it is necessary for us to discuss its importance. Let’s have first the coral reefs.
Coral reefs as a sustaining tropical marine ecosystem. Coral reefs maintain a balance life with the mangrove and sea grass ecosystems hear the coastal shores. Second, coral reefs as primary producers. Coral help in reducing the effects of CO2. Coral reefs support the food chain by being a food for tropical fish and other marine animals that serve as a food for animals, higher in the food chain. Third, corals as a coastal protection. Corals can be called as nature’s defense mechanism to prevent coastal soil erosion and flooding. Fourth, coral reefs as a cultural significance. Corals are worshiped as life sustaining organism in innumerable cultures around the world. For Fiji, coral reefs are symbol of life and reverence and sane is true for many other cultures around the world. The other importance of coral reefs is that corals provide shelter, nutrition and habitat to almost a quarter of the world’s fish. Think how valuable is this contribution when it comes to the national, international and local fisheries. Those are some of the reasons why a coral reef is important.
Like coral reefs, mangroves are extremely productive ecosystems that provide numerous goods and services both to the marine environment and people. Mangroves serve as nurseries for many fish species, including coral reef fish. Mangroves as a timber and plant products. Mangrove wood is resistant to rot and insects making it extremely valuable. Many coastal and indigenous communities rely on this wood for construction material as well as for fuel. Mangroves as a coastal protection. The dense root systems of mangrove forests trap sediments flowing down rivers and off the land. This help stabilizes the coastline and prevents erosion from waves and storms.
The importance of coral reefs and mangroves nowadays increasingly highlighted in newspapers and science journals and people are becoming aware of the crucial role they play in our lives. At an individual level, at least we try to make people be aware of the importance of coral reefs and mangroves and must take certain changes.
