Fragility of Coral Reefs

 Coral reefs can be very fragile. Even minor changes in depth, water condition and water temperature can wipe out a coral reef in days. Reefs require water with poor nutrition in the water which is why the water is so clear. They may look nice and pretty but they are very brittle so they can be ripped off by hand, imagine what would happen if a ship smashed into a reef or if it laid anchor there. Unfortunately the greatest danger posed to Coral reefs today is chemical contamination; oil spills, wastes, fertilizers, sediments and infiltration of fresh water. Over 10 % of the world's reefs have been destroyed by human activity. By 2030, 60 % of the world's reefs could be gone in 93 countries. Only remote reefs are really healthy. Corals breed between 25 to 29 degrees centigrade, but 1-2 degrees centigrade over these values can be deadly. Global warming seems to pose a great threat for the corals. 

this is not a live coral this is a DEAD coral