Medicinal benefits of Coral reefs

Finally, coral reefs are sometimes called the “medicine cabinets” of the 21st

century. Coral reef plants and animals are important sources of new medicines

being developed to treat cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, heart

disease, viruses and other diseases. Some coral reef organisms produce powerful

chemicals to fend off attackers, scientists continue to research the medicinal

potential of these substances. In the future, coral reef ecosystems could

represent an increasingly important source of medical treatments, nutritional

supplements, pesticides, cosmetics and other commercial products.

Threats to Coral Reefs

Corals and coral reefs are extremely sensitive. Slight changes in the reef

environment may have detrimental effects on the health of entire coral colonies.

These changes may be due to a variety of factors, but they generally fall within two

categories: natural disturbances and anthropogenic disturbances. Although

natural disturbances may cause severe changes in coral communities,

anthropogenic disturbances have been linked to the vast majority of decreases in

coral cover and general colony health when coral reefs and humans occur

together. One of the greatest threats to coral reefs is human expansion and

development. As development continues to alter the landscape, the amount of

freshwater runoff increases. This terrigenous runoff may carry large amounts of

sediment from land-clearing areas, high levels of nutrients from agricultural

areas or septic systems, as well as many pollutants such as petroleum products or

insecticides. Whether it is direct sedimentation onto the reef or an increase in the

turbidity of the water due to eutrophication, decreases in the amounts of light

reaching corals and may cause bleaching.

In addition, increases in the amounts of nutrients enhance the growth of other

reef organisms such as sponges which may outcompete the corals for space on

crowded reefs.

How you can help protect the coral reefs!

Do not deploy the anchor directly above the coral.

Use navigational charts to locate coral reefs in case boats run aground and

destroy them.

Do not dispose of trash,washings, or other debris on or near the coral reefs.

Don't touch corals when diving or snorkeling. Coral is made of a hard

skeleton,but coral polyps are fragile.You may damage the fragile coral polyps

in the process.

Anglers should avoid shallow coral reefs when trolling. Hooks can injure and

scar the coral,leaving it vulnerable to infection by microscopic organisms

that can kill the coral.

When harvesting for lobsters, refrain from touching coral reefs and never use

chemicals near a reef. Heavy traps break coral and damage the surrounding

habitat when the traps are pulled.

Conclusion

Hope that you have enjoyed our blog and understand that all Coral Reefs will be

destroyed at the current unfavourable rate. Do your part in taking care of Coral

Reefs and be amazed by Mother Nature's natural scenery and greenery. DO NOT

take Coral Reefs for granted and treasure it!

Quiz

Q1) Which year has been chosen as the International Year of the Reef?


Ans:______





Q2) Coral Reefs are just places of attractions and are of no use?


True/False





Q3) Coral Reefs will never be destroyed?


True/False





Q4) Coral Reefs have no living creatures in it?


True/False





Q5) Inconsiderate actions of ours will not harm the Coral Reefs?(eg. to litter near shores)


True/False



Note: All the answers can be found in the blog.

Credits

Design and Music: Shawn Ong

Appreciative Poem: Matthew Wong

Information:Nicholas Wong