Coral Reefs: Threats & Solutions

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Reefs Under Stress

These bleached corals in the Gulf of Mexico are the result of increased water temperatures.
These bleached corals in the Gulf of Mexico are the result of increased water temperatures.
Emma Hickerson/NOAA
More than 20 percent of tropical reefs worldwide have been destroyed and are unlikely to recover. Many more are in danger of dying. The primary cause? Human activities. The greatest threats to reefs are rising water temperatures and ocean acidification linked to rising carbon dioxide levels. High water temperatures cause corals to lose the microscopic algae that produce the food corals need—a condition known as coral bleaching. Severe or prolonged bleaching can kill coral colonies or leave them vulnerable to other threats. Overfishing and overharvesting of corals also disrupt reef ecosystems. If care is not taken, boat anchors and divers can scar reefs. Even activities that take place far from reefs can have an impact. Runoff from lawns, sewage, cities, and farms feeds algae that can overwhelm reefs. Deforestation hastens soil erosion, which clouds water—smothering corals.

Smithsonian Links

Learn about the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Coral Reef Monitoring Network

Links to Other Sites

Read a National Geographic article about the effect of climate change on a reef in Belize
Find out what causes coral bleaching in this National Geographic article

Sanctuaries for Reefs

Hawaii’s Maro Coral Reef is part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Hawaii’s Maro Coral Reef is part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
©James D. Watt/Ocean Stock
The grim news about threats to coral reefs is growing. But so are efforts to protect reefs. One of the most promising solutions is the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs). Like national parks on land, MPAs protect natural and historical treasures underwater–including coral reefs. Established in 1972, NOAA’s Marine Sanctuary Program protects more than 150,000 square miles of marine and Great Lake waters within 13 national marine sanctuaries—including reefs in the Florida Keys and Gulf of Mexico. In 2006, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands coral reef ecosystem was designated as a national monument. And in early 2009, three more marine national monuments were created, extending protection to remote Pacific coral reefs.

Smithsonian Links

Map: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Map: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument
Read the Smithsonian article “Our Imperiled Oceans: Victory at Sea”

Links to Other Sites

Find out more about NOAA’s Marine Sanctuaries Program
View photos of protected reefs in the National Marine Sanctuaries Marine Life collection
Browse through the guide to the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (PDF)

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Comments

There needs to be more information on threats. Most people being aware that we are the problem for all destruction in the ocean, why don't know what we can do to help. You should have a list of some of the major actions people do that damages the ocean and how we can still do what we like to do, but ocean-friendly. It would make a big difference in how many people decide to contribute and help.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 2:53pm.

it is verry good

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 6:42am.

where are th solutions?????

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 7:39am.

Thanks for your comment. If you click the link in the "What Can I Do" logo on the left side of this page you will be redirected to Reef Rescue: Protect Coral Reefs with Your Actions.

Visit 5 Simple Things You Can Do for the Ocean to learn about other personal actions you can take to help the ocean.

-The Ocean Portal Team

Submitted by Ocean Portal Team on Mon, 11/28/2011 - 4:27pm.

this is a nice website

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/06/2012 - 9:30am.

Hi,

Our team recently received a comment asking why we would suggest that a marine sanctuary is a potential solution for ocean acidification. We’re sorry for the confusion, we do not mean to suggest that marine sanctuaries are a solution for ocean acidification. Rather, this page is discussing some of the different threats and different solutions to a variety of problems that face coral reef ecosystems.

A friendly reminder to our users: while on-topic discussion is encouraged, we ask that you express yourself in a civil manner and treat other users with respect. The Smithsonian also monitors and may remove posts consistent with its terms of use, as described at http://si.edu/Termsofuse#user-gen.

Thanks,
The Ocean Portal Team

Submitted by Ocean Portal Team on Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:54am.

this is very interesting.

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/12/2012 - 5:15pm.

what are the pros and cons of coral bleaching? and how does this effect our ocean environment?

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/19/2012 - 12:40pm.

Hi and thanks for your comment.

As stated above in the "Reefs Under Stress" section, high water temperatures cause corals to lose the microscopic algae that produce the food corals need—a condition known as coral bleaching. Severe or prolonged bleaching can kill coral colonies or leave them vulnerable to other threats. Coral reefs support more species per square meter than any other ocean ecosystem, so you can understand how coral bleaching can be detrimental to these ecosystems.

Learn more about coral reef ecosystems, and the threats imposed on them, in our Coral Reef Section: http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life-ecosystems/coral-reefs

Thanks,
The Ocean Portal Team

Submitted by Ocean Portal Team on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 12:07pm.

i like dis joint

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 04/03/2012 - 9:43am.

there needs to be more solutions

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 11:30am.

there is a lot of cool info here

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/14/2012 - 9:22am.
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