Coral reefs are biodiverse ecosystems found in warm, shallow waters near the tropics. They provide habitat for many species of fish, mollusks, and other marine life. However, coral reefs are threatened by human activities such as overfishing, pollution from agriculture, coastal development, and climate change. A case study of coral reefs in Cebu, Philippines highlights threats like tourism, destructive fishing practices, and how management strategies are developed through international partnerships to address these issues and protect vulnerable reef ecosystems.

2. Coral Reefs

5. Coral Reefs are amazingly bio-diverse - They have an enormous range of species of flora and fauna

6. Coral polyps live on and in the limestone structures that make up the reef

7. Fish off all kinds live from the nutrient rich seas in and around the corals

8. It a scuba divers paradise – but the corals are extremely delicate and may be easily damaged

9. What amazing colours!

10. If the corals are damaged they die, nutrients decay and fish disappear

11. The coral reefs are second to the tropical rainforests for the richness and variety of life

12. But as said the corals are very delicate – one scuba divers foot on the coral and several square metres of coral die!

17. HOMEWORK Research the recent oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico What caused the spill? What is likely to be the long term impact of this disaster? What is the response? What are the difficulties dealing with the problem?