Like trees, corals are the cornerstone of their ecosystem...
Habitat for hundreds of animals (birds, batracians, reptiles, etc.), plants and fungi
Decontaminates soils and water runoff, filtering the excess of fertilizers, chemicals, heavy metals
Coastal protection against storms, tides, tsunamis
Farms protection against extreme climatic events (hail, storms, winds, landslides, floods)
Resources : food (fishes, crustaceans), pharmaceutical, decorative, building material
Resources : human or animal feed, medicinal use, decorative, building material
Coral aquaculture for sustainable aquariums supply chains, eco-tourism
Timber, fruits, art crafts sales
At the core of many religions and native spirituality in various world regions
... and like tropical forest, coral reefs host outstanding biodiversity.
Like for trees, the loss of corals would lead to the collapse of their ecosystems.
Coral reefs suffer even greater loss rates than forests.
There are multiple threat to coral reefs, including:
Community-based restoration and conservation projects can regenerate damaged coral reefs while improving the practices of the communities, and the livelihoods and the economy of the entire region.
Coral reefs restoration: « planting » corals on artificial structures
Conservation activities to increase effectiveness of restoration
Community approach to empower communities in managing their reef