What is the Impact of Coral Reef Damage on Marine Ecosystems
By. Rani - 17 Apr 2025
lautnusantara.com Coral reef degradation is currently worsening due to a combination of local and global factors, such as climate change, pollution, destructive fishing, and other human activities. So, what impact does coral reef degradation have on marine ecosystems?
In short, the destruction of coral reefs makes the marine ecosystem unbalanced because many species lose their habitats which causes a decrease in biodiversity. The loss of coral reefs also impacts the fishing industry, reducing the population of fish that depend on this ecosystem and threatening the food security of coastal communities.
Other Impacts of Coral Reef Damage in addition to impacting marine ecosystem, damaged coral reef also have a wider impact. compiled from the reef world foundation and the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA), damaged coral reefs will result in a number of the following devastating impacts.
In short, the destruction of coral reefs makes the marine ecosystem unbalanced because many species lose their habitats which causes a decrease in biodiversity. The loss of coral reefs also impacts the fishing industry, reducing the population of fish that depend on this ecosystem and threatening the food security of coastal communities.
Other Impacts of Coral Reef Damage in addition to impacting marine ecosystem, damaged coral reef also have a wider impact. compiled from the reef world foundation and the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA), damaged coral reefs will result in a number of the following devastating impacts.
What is the Impact of Coral Reef Damage on Marine Ecosystems?
Quoted from The Reef-World Foundation, coral reefs are home to more than one million marine species. Although they cover less than 1% of the ocean, coral reefs provide shelter, food, and breeding grounds for 25% of all marine life. If coral reefs are damaged or disappear, many species that depend on these ecosystems will lose their shelter. This will cause a decline in the population of marine species that depend on coral reefs as their main habitat.
Without the protection provided by coral reef structures, small species that usually hide in the crevices of coral reefs will be more vulnerable to predators. They will have difficulty finding places to hide and lay eggs, which will ultimately reduce the number of species that can survive in the environment. This can cause imbalances in the marine food chain and have far-reaching impacts on the ecosystem as a whole.
1. Collapse of the Fishing Industry
Coral reefs are home to more than 25% of marine species, including fish that are a source of food for humans. If coral reefs are damaged or disappear, fish populations that depend on these ecosystems will decline drastically. This will have a direct impact on the fishing industry, especially in coastal countries that rely on seafood as a primary source of income.
In many developing countries, fisheries are a major sector of the economy and provide a livelihood for millions of people. As fish stocks decline, fishermen will struggle to catch enough to sell or consume. As a result, fish prices will rise, making access to this protein source increasingly difficult for communities, especially those who depend on fish as a staple food.
2. The Decline of the Tourism Industry
Many world-famous tourist destinations, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Raja Ampat in Indonesia, attract tourists because of the beauty of their coral reefs. Activities such as snorkeling, diving, and other marine tourism provide significant income for the local economy. If coral reefs are severely damaged, these tourist attractions will decline, resulting in a decrease in the number of tourists visiting.
The impact will not only be felt by tour operators, but also by many other sectors that depend on tourists. Hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and local transportation will lose customers. Regional incomes that depend on tourism will drop drastically, causing increased unemployment and economic hardship for communities that have traditionally lived off the tourism industry.
3. Increasing Coastal Damage and Natural Disasters
Coral reefs act as natural barriers that protect the coast from large waves and storms. The structure of coral reefs is able to absorb wave energy and reduce the impact of coastal abrasion. If coral reefs are damaged or disappear, ocean waves will directly hit the coast, causing faster erosion and increasing the risk of flooding in coastal areas.
The impact will be most pronounced for coastal communities, especially in countries prone to tropical cyclones and rising sea levels. Without the natural protection of coral reefs, governments will have to spend huge amounts of money to build seawalls or artificial breakwaters. Without mitigation measures, many coastal communities could be at risk of being submerged or experiencing more frequent and severe disasters.
4. Decrease in Oxygen Availability in the Atmosphere
Although often overlooked, the ocean is one of the main contributors of oxygen on Earth, even greater than forests. Many tiny organisms in the ocean, such as phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria, produce oxygen that is used by humans and animals on land. Coral reefs play a role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem so that these oxygen-producing organisms can thrive.
If coral reefs are damaged, the balance of the marine ecosystem is disturbed, which can ultimately lead to a decrease in the population of oxygen-producing organisms. As a result, global oxygen production can decrease, although the impact may not be felt immediately. However, in the long term, the reduced supply of oxygen from the ocean can have negative impacts on human health and the stability of ecosystems on land.
5. Obstruction of Medical Progress and Health Research
Many marine organisms that live on coral reefs have unique compounds that could be used to treat a variety of diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's, and bacterial infections. Scientists continue to study the potential for new medicines derived from marine species that live on coral reefs. If coral reefs are damaged, many of these species could become extinct before they can be studied further.
The loss of biodiversity on coral reefs means the loss of opportunities to discover new medicines that could save lives. The medical world will lose a potential resource that has not been fully explored. The impact is not only on human health today, but also on future generations who may lose the opportunity to get more effective treatments for dangerous diseases.
Without the protection provided by coral reef structures, small species that usually hide in the crevices of coral reefs will be more vulnerable to predators. They will have difficulty finding places to hide and lay eggs, which will ultimately reduce the number of species that can survive in the environment. This can cause imbalances in the marine food chain and have far-reaching impacts on the ecosystem as a whole.
1. Collapse of the Fishing Industry
Coral reefs are home to more than 25% of marine species, including fish that are a source of food for humans. If coral reefs are damaged or disappear, fish populations that depend on these ecosystems will decline drastically. This will have a direct impact on the fishing industry, especially in coastal countries that rely on seafood as a primary source of income.
In many developing countries, fisheries are a major sector of the economy and provide a livelihood for millions of people. As fish stocks decline, fishermen will struggle to catch enough to sell or consume. As a result, fish prices will rise, making access to this protein source increasingly difficult for communities, especially those who depend on fish as a staple food.
2. The Decline of the Tourism Industry
Many world-famous tourist destinations, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Raja Ampat in Indonesia, attract tourists because of the beauty of their coral reefs. Activities such as snorkeling, diving, and other marine tourism provide significant income for the local economy. If coral reefs are severely damaged, these tourist attractions will decline, resulting in a decrease in the number of tourists visiting.
The impact will not only be felt by tour operators, but also by many other sectors that depend on tourists. Hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and local transportation will lose customers. Regional incomes that depend on tourism will drop drastically, causing increased unemployment and economic hardship for communities that have traditionally lived off the tourism industry.
3. Increasing Coastal Damage and Natural Disasters
Coral reefs act as natural barriers that protect the coast from large waves and storms. The structure of coral reefs is able to absorb wave energy and reduce the impact of coastal abrasion. If coral reefs are damaged or disappear, ocean waves will directly hit the coast, causing faster erosion and increasing the risk of flooding in coastal areas.
The impact will be most pronounced for coastal communities, especially in countries prone to tropical cyclones and rising sea levels. Without the natural protection of coral reefs, governments will have to spend huge amounts of money to build seawalls or artificial breakwaters. Without mitigation measures, many coastal communities could be at risk of being submerged or experiencing more frequent and severe disasters.
4. Decrease in Oxygen Availability in the Atmosphere
Although often overlooked, the ocean is one of the main contributors of oxygen on Earth, even greater than forests. Many tiny organisms in the ocean, such as phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria, produce oxygen that is used by humans and animals on land. Coral reefs play a role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem so that these oxygen-producing organisms can thrive.
If coral reefs are damaged, the balance of the marine ecosystem is disturbed, which can ultimately lead to a decrease in the population of oxygen-producing organisms. As a result, global oxygen production can decrease, although the impact may not be felt immediately. However, in the long term, the reduced supply of oxygen from the ocean can have negative impacts on human health and the stability of ecosystems on land.
5. Obstruction of Medical Progress and Health Research
Many marine organisms that live on coral reefs have unique compounds that could be used to treat a variety of diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's, and bacterial infections. Scientists continue to study the potential for new medicines derived from marine species that live on coral reefs. If coral reefs are damaged, many of these species could become extinct before they can be studied further.
The loss of biodiversity on coral reefs means the loss of opportunities to discover new medicines that could save lives. The medical world will lose a potential resource that has not been fully explored. The impact is not only on human health today, but also on future generations who may lose the opportunity to get more effective treatments for dangerous diseases.
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