Coral reefs support marine life in many ways, including ¹ ²:
- Hosting a quarter of all ocean species
- Providing food and shelter for countless creatures
- Offering habitat for diverse marine ecosystems
- Supporting commercial fishing industries
- Protecting shorelines from erosion and wave damage
- Providing medicine and other resources
- Supporting tourism and recreation
- Supporting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience
- Providing a foundation for the food chain
- Supporting the health of the ocean and the planet.