
Coral reefs support jobs, tourism, and fisheries F rom tourism to marine recreation and sport fishing, coral reefs play an important role in the economies of countries all around the world. By one estimate, coral reefs provide economic goods and services worth about $375 billion each year.
How do coral reefs benefit the economy?
20 Importance of Coral Reefs to Environment
- Habitat for many living beings. Coral reef become one from so many types of ocean habitats that is important to support the ocean life.
- Nitrogen support. In the coral reef ecosystem there is this nitrogen fixation that will help to support the live not only coral reef but also another ocean living being.
- Food support. ...
- Protecting the coastlines. ...
What is the economic value of coral reefs?
What is the economic value of coral reefs? Coral reefs support jobs, tourism, and fisheries. In fact, each year coral reefs pump more than $3.4 billion into the U.S. economy And that’s a conservative estimate!
Why are coral reefs so important?
Why are coral reefs so important?
- Firstly, and perhaps most obviously, protecting coral reefs is important as they are some of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. ...
- Another reason that we need to protect coral reefs is for tourism. ...
- Coral reefs may have a large number of undiscovered benefits too. ...
What is the ecological importance of coral reefs?
The Importance of Coral Reefs
- A Barrier from Storms and Surge. Reefs play an important role in protecting the shoreline from storms and surge water. ...
- One fish, two fish. As the foundation for complex food webs, coral reefs support an incredible diversity of fish. ...
- Nutrition. ...
- Water Filtration. ...
- Economic Development. ...

How much do coral reefs contribute to the economy?
about $375 billion each yearCoral reefs support jobs, tourism, and fisheries By one estimate, coral reefs provide economic goods and services worth about $375 billion each year.
How does coral reef degradation affect the economy?
Degradation of these reefs costs dearly through loss of fishing livelihoods, protein defi- ciencies and the increased potential for malnutrition, loss of tourism revenue, increased coastal erosion, and the need for investment to stabilize the shoreline.
How does coral reef bleaching affect the economy?
The milestone report also recognises coral reefs as major economic assets around the world, showing that ongoing severe bleaching on the World-Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef alone could result in the catastrophic loss of more than 1 million visitors to the region annually – a figure equivalent to at least $1 ...
What are 5 ways coral reefs benefit humans?
5 Ways Coral Reefs Benefit HumansCoastal protection.Preservation of biodiversity.Fishing industry support.Tourism support.Advancements in medical research.
How much money do coral reefs make globally?
$36 billion a yearIn total, coral reefs represent an astonishing $36 billion a year in economic value to the world. Of that $36 billion, $19 billion represents actual “on-reef” tourism like diving, snorkeling, glass-bottom boating and wildlife watching on reefs themselves.
What are the importance of coral reefs?
Coral reefs provide an important ecosystem for life underwater, protect coastal areas by reducing the power of waves hitting the coast, and provide a crucial source of income for millions of people. Coral reefs teem with diverse life. Thousands of species can be found living on one reef.
How does tourism at the Great Barrier Reef affect the economy?
Tourism is the biggest contributor to the total asset value making up $29 billion. The Great Barrier Reef generates 64,000 jobs in Australia and contributes $6.4 billion dollars to the national economy, the report said.
Is coral worth money?
How Much Do Corals Sell For? Excellent examples of coral have recently sold for tens of thousands of dollars, with some of the most exquisite antique pieces fetching upwards of $100,000.
How many jobs do coral reefs provide?
Coastal and marine tourism represents a significant share of the industry and is an important component of the growing, sustainable Blue Economy, supporting more than 6.5 million jobs—second only to industrial fishing.
What are the benefits of coral farming?
Newfound farming techniques can speed up the natural coral growth rate by up to 50 times. Corals that used to take decades to grow can now do so in months. All in all, coral farming is a great solution to reverse the destruction and death of the ocean's richest ecosystem.
How do coral reefs benefit marine life?
Healthy coral reefs provide: Habitat, feeding, spawning, and nursery grounds for over 1 million aquatic species, including commercially harvested fish species. Food for people living near coral reefs, especially on small islands.
How does the Great Barrier Reef help Australia's economy?
“ The Great Barrier Reef has a economic, social and icon asset value of $56 billion. It supports 64,000 jobs and contributes $6.4 billion to the Australian economy. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth.
How does coral reef degradation affect human health?
“Coral reef damage also greatly affects food security, income, the stability of the whole ecosystem, and could increase the threat of coastal disasters,” Jensi Sartin from Bali-based Reef Check Foundation Indonesia said. “Coral reefs support the lives of many people in various sectors.
What will happen if coral reefs are destroyed?
Coral reefs provide protection against flooding and the erosion of coastlines. With them gone, there will be rapid erosion of coastlines and many small island countries might even vanish from the world map. There may be many more serious repercussions that we are unable to perceive at this moment.
What will happen if we lose coral reefs?
If coral reefs disappeared, essential food, shelter and spawning grounds for fish and other marine organisms would cease to exist, and biodiversity would greatly suffer as a consequence. Marine food-webs would be altered, and many economically important species would disappear.
What impact does coral reefs have on the environment?
Benefits of coral reef ecosystems Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion, provide jobs for local communities, and offer opportunities for recreation. They are also are a source of food and new medicines.