Environmental Importance Of Coral Reefs

Coral reefs have been dubbed the ‘gardens of the sea.’ Burke and Maidens (2004) describe them as both physical structures and complex ecosystems. The physical structure is formed from the secretions of calcium carbonate by tiny marine organisms called coral polyps, which forms a shell around them (Mohammed, 2007). These shells become cemented together and remain when the reef building polyps die. The basic units of reef growth then are the coral polyps and symbiotic algae that live in the coral tissues which are responsible for creating food from sunlight. This symbiotic relationship is the key factor explaining both the productivity of reefs and the rather strict environmental requirement of corals (Cesar, 2004). This physical structure with

Some of these benefits and functions of coral reefs are: the provision of fish and shellfish; bio-prospecting; raw materials for building; erosion control and storm protection; sand formation; and recreation and tourism (World Resources Institute [WRI], 2011). However, only some of these functions are classified as possessing direct economic value to the Caribbean (Burke et al, 2011). The main functions and benefits of coral reefs that are used for coral reef valuation are: tourism value, fish production and shoreline protection (Gustavson,

This sector was projected to account for nearly 24 percent of the GDP in 2011 (WRI, 2011). Burke and Maidens (2004) in their book pointed out that coral reefs “supply much of the sand for the region’s beautiful beaches and lure divers and snorkelers…to come and explore the reefs’ colorful and mysterious depths” (p. 55). This provides a valid case that coral reefs play a fundamental role in the Caribbean’s thriving tourism industry, including that of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Jamaica’s white coralline beaches signify a main draw for international holidaymakers, and hence provide a critically important contribution to Jamaica’s economy. One of the best ways to highlight the economic contributions of coral reefs to Jamaica’s economy is through the analysis of the dive tourism sector. Scuba divers hunt for superior coral reef habitats (as indicated by live coral coverage), coral and fish diversity, and water clarity. In their research paper that was published in 1998, Bunce and Gustavson pointed out that approximately 200 persons were employed through direct watersports in the MBMP and in addition, twenty-eight dive operations, party cruisers, snorkel businesses, and small-scale watersports businesses operated in Montego Bay. This indicates that coral reefs provide employment for a significant amount of people through the dive tourism sector. Bunce and Gustavson (1998) even went further to say that watersport