1. By:
Veeshalla Maharaj
Kavita Dookie

2. Coral reefs are massive structures made of limestone deposited
by living things. Although thousands of species inhabit coral
reefs, only a fraction produce the limestone that builds the reef.
The most important reef-building organisms are the corals.
Corals are sessile animals, meaning they are not mobile but stay
fixed in one place. They feed by reaching out with tentacles to
catch prey such as small fish and planktonic animals.

3.  Corals live in colonies consisting of many
individuals, each of which is called polyp.
They secrete a hard calcium carbonate
skeleton, which serves as a uniform base
or substrate for the colony. The skeleton also
provides protection, as the polyps can
contract into the structure if predators
approach. It is these hard skeletal structures
that build up coral reefs over time.

4.  There are three main types of Coral reefs, these are :
1. Coral atolls- which are rings of coral that create
protected lagoons and are usually located in the middle
of the sea. Atolls usually form when islands surrounded
by fringing reefs sink into the sea or the sea level rises
around them (these islands are often the tops of
underwater volcanoes).

5.  2. Barrier reefs- are parallel to the coastline but are
separated by deeper, wider lagoons. At their
shallowest point they can reach the water's surface
forming a "barrier" to navigation. The Great Barrier
Reef in Australia is the largest and most famous
barrier reef in the world
3.Fringing reefs- grow near the coastline around
islands and continents. They are separated from the
shore by narrow, shallow lagoons. Fringing reefs are
the most common type of reef that we see for
example the Buccoo reef in Tobago ;-)

7. Atoll

8. Barrier
Reef

9. Fringing
Reef

10.  Coral reefs provide COASTAL PROTECTION by slowing
down waves that would otherwise break directly on
the shore. These waves can be destructive and
damage unprotected sea-front property.

11.  Coral reefs also protect other ecosystems, like sea-
grass meadows and mangroves. These ecosystems
provide us with many important ecosystem services
like water purification and food.
 In addition coral reefs protect coastlines from
tropical storms and tsunamis. This protection is
likely to become more important as climate change
is predicted to make tropical storms more frequent
and destructive

12. Coral reefs comprise one of the most diverse
ecosystems on earth, and are home to over one
million species unfortunately, human interaction
with coral reefs are causing them to be destroyed
at such a high rate that already 10% of coral reef
habitat has been destroyed, and within the next 20
– 40 years up to 60% will be destroyed.

13.  The majority of coral reef destruction can be
blamed on human practices. Fisheries often use
extremely destructive methods in order to catch
fish, such as blast fishing (setting off dynamite to
stun fish) or cyanide fishing (using poison to stun
fish).
The sustainability of the fishing industry will then
depend on educating fishermen about the
importance of coral reefs and the role they play.

14. Protects coastline from the destructive waves and storm
surges as they act as a barrier and so prevent beach erosion.
Provide harbours and beaches
Tourist attraction ( diving, photography) which generates
much needed foreign exchange for the region.

15.  Breeding ground for fish and other marine life
thus impacting on lives of people along coast
and especially in Caribbean where island culture
exists – fisher folks and so destruction would
result in change in their livelihood.
Habitats, shelter and food for marine fauna and
flora .
Provides aesthetic value to region

16. Coastal development; construction of hotels, marinas provide
turgid waters choke coral growth.
Silt from land due to run off destroy coral organisms
Fertilizer run off from farm lands as well as oil spills destroy
marine life.

17.  Damages caused by recreation and tourism-
anchors, boat grounding.
Over exploitation by fishermen.
Destructive fishing methods such as dragging fish
net, dynamiting.
Global warming will result in rise in sea level.
Waters will become too deep for corals to survive.

18. Thank you for your attention.