You may not know: A light touch is enough to kill corals

Coral reefs are one of nature's gifts. This stunning carbon structure not only adds to the beauty of the ocean, but also plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance. They are home to many species of small fish.

What is coral reef?

Coral reefs can live to be thousands of years old.

In fact, a single coral species is made up of countless tiny animals known as polyps.

Polyps can be as small as a grain of sand or can be up to 10 inches (more than 25 cm) in size. They suck calcium carbonate from the water and clump together to form coral reefs.

Since corals are living organisms, they need a food source to survive. Some eat small fish and plankton, the rest eat algae growing on the outer layer. Corals expand by spawning coral eggs.

Coral reefs can live to be thousands of years old. They are sensitive creatures. Small factors like a change in water temperature, overexposure to the sun's rays or strong waves can all kill them. In addition, corals can also be eaten by many other sea creatures.

The importance of corals

Coral reefs may cover only a very small percentage of the world's ocean floor. However, nearly a quarter of marine life is protected and nurtured by coral reefs in their early stages of development.

Coral reefs also protect the coast from the impact of natural disasters and enhance the beauty of the landscape under the ocean.

Small temperature changes can cause coral reefs to lose color.

Factors that contribute to coral reef destruction

However, population growth and global warming have had a significant impact, causing coral reefs to degrade at an alarming rate. Many factors contribute to their destruction, including:

Fishing

Overfishing becomes a real problem. Modern fishing techniques not only increase catches, but also damage coral reefs in the passage of ships.

Global warming

With the overall change in climate, oceans are also affected. Small temperature changes can cause coral reefs to lose color. This external coloration is indicative of healthy corals. Once they start to disappear, the corals are vulnerable to fish and algae destruction.

Water activities

Water sports such as snorkeling and deep diving have become popular in recent years. In addition to the element of discovery and adventure, many people dive just to see the coral. However, scuba divers' boats can anchor on a layer of coral and crush them.

In addition, it is easy for visitors to accidentally step on coral during the experience. Beginner divers don't have much control over the water. Their fins easily touch the coral and affect the growth of this organism.

Waste

Plastic scraps, nets and other waste floating into the sea are the leading factor in damaging aquatic ecosystems. In addition to harming marine life, litter can get entangled in coral reefs, killing them.

Soil improvement

To solve the problem of the growing population, people began to reclaim land. The upsetting of the natural order causes the displacement of nutrients needed by corals to grow. This change can kill corals or make them worse.

What should visitors do?

When the membrane is punctured, the coral is susceptible to infection.

Many people believe that corals are made of hard and abundantly grown materials that are not easily destroyed. However, this organism is surrounded by a very thin membrane and is fragile to the touch. When the membrane is punctured, the coral is susceptible to infection.

So when diving, you need to pay attention:

1. Avoid contact, trampling on corals.
2. Follow the instructions for safe diving and do not go out of the permitted area.
3. Do not let diving equipment (fins, tanks) accidentally touch the coral.
4. Do not bring small items, especially plastic ones. They can fall into the water.
5. Don't break some coral to bring home after the trip. Instead, take a photo as a souvenir.

Is coral an animal or a plant?

Why are coral reefs in the world gradually disappearing?

"Flying" to the sky to hide from the scads, the flying fish became delicious prey for sea cormorants