Coral Reef Biodiversity

Throughout the planet there lies biodiversity, but there is perhaps no ecosystem on this more diverse than the coral reefs (Hoegh-Guldberg, 2007). A single healthy and productive coral reef system can contain hundreds of thousands of species (Hoegh-Guldberg, 1999). There are an estimated 835 species of reef-building corals in existence with a total coral reef biodiversity estimated anywhere from one to nine million distinct species (Knowlton, 2001). Even still there are many species that can be found in coral reefs have yet to even be discovered by scientists. This incredible amount of biodiversity—both discovered and undiscovered—could hold the key to untold cures for diseases in our world through the facilitation of new biochemical compounds

The structural complexity of coral acts as a natural barrier against waves by acting to dissipate the energy produced by the waves (Harris, 2018). Coral reefs that are formed with high degrees of structural complexity will produce high levels of hydraulic roughness and larger amounts of frictional dissipation of the waves that will result in overall wave energy dissipation (Harris, 2018). This wave energy dissipation effect is what sets coral reefs apart from other marine ecosystems in terms of tropical coast protection (Harris, 2018). Widespread coral reef degradation due to climate change will result in a decrease in structural complexity throughout the coral reef, which in turn decreases the reef’s ability to protect the tropical coastlines from waves; this decrease in ability to protect coastlines could be detrimental to the people who live along the coast (Harris,

In many small countries that are closely located to coral reefs, tourism is their main, and in some cases only, source of income (Hoegh-Guldberg, 2007). The Great Barrier Reef produces roughly one billion dollar annually in tourism, and nearly 90 billion dollars is produced by tourists visiting reefs throughout the Caribbean (Hoegh-Guldberg, 1999). However, like fisheries the success of tourism in coral reefs will be largely dependent on the state of the reefs. One of the major issues that climate change causes in coral reefs is something known as coral bleaching (Hoegh-Guldberg, 2007). When coral bleaching occurs the vibrant colorful appearance of the once healthy coral becomes pale white; this dramatically reduces the attractiveness of the coral reefs, and which would decrease revenue. (Hoegh-Guldberg, 2007;