rainforests of the oceans, because of the rich diversity of life they support. Scientists have not yet

finished counting the thousands of different species of plants and animals that use or live in the coral

reef. There are three types of coral reefs: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Fringing reefs

are located close to shore, separated from land by only shallow water. Barrier reefs lie farther

offshore, separated from land by lagoons more than ten meters deep. Atolls, on the other hand, are

formed far offshore and they make a ring-shaped reef that close a circular lagoon. Coral reefs are the

largest biological structures on the planet, with the largest being the Great Barrier Reef covering over

2000 kilometers along the east coast of Australia (Focus, 1995). The reef is said to be 500,000 to

2,500,000 years old and is said to be visible from the moon.(Scientif!

ic, 1987). There is only one problem with this beautiful structure and that is the carelessness of man.

Silt from deforested lands and pollution from crowded coastlines choke them, and overuse by coal miners,

fisheries, and even tourists deplete and des

research. If used properly, the reefs of the entire world can better serve humans with medicine rather

Weber, Peter (July, 1993) Saving the Coral Reefs Futurists.

use the coral reef to survive. Coral reefs are home to perhaps one-fourth of all marine species. This in

Corals are animals, not plants, sunlight is the key to their survival. They need it to power the

the death of 5%-10% of the world s living reefs, according to marine biologist Clive Wilkinson of the

porous limestone skeletons of coral is now being tested as bone grafts in humans(Focus, 1995). More

Some topics in this essay:
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