Why are Coral Reefs endangered?

Question

Why are Coral Reefs endangered?

Answer 1

It's because the ocean is getting warmer. The coral reefs can't survive so they turn white and crumble. Other reasons are, the ocean getting warmer overpopulated a clam that ate coral reefs.

Answer 2

Because the reef is the source of the food that we bring to the table; it is a place we visit for our enjoyment and recreation; it provides the basic materials for the foundations of our homes; and it is the protection for our home islands against the ferocity that Mother Nature sometimes displays.

Answer 3

carbon released from coal burning power plants is dissolving in the sea water, creating carbolic acid which is eating coral reefs away.

Answer 4

The water getting warmer than what the coral reefs are suppose to be in.

Water pollution like: Coal,plastic, oil and other stuff.

Answer 5

they now say something is eating the coral

Answer 6

because people eat coral reefs

Answer 7

well the die easily if  person steps on them like in hawaii. the "flowers" die from certian pressure

Answer 8

Global warming may be the answer people on this site might throw out the most (Increase temperature will cause the coral to expell the algae reducing the nutrient it takes in), but there are other reasons.   Damage from human activities like pollution dumped into our ocean killing off the reef.  Humans taking samples of coral for jewelry.  Fishing, specifically using cyanide to catch live fish or dredging.    If Global warming was the only reason coral reef is suffering there would be more coral reefs being created in higher lattitude.   Colder regions will be more able to support coral reefs.   This is not the first time temperature fluctuate on earth.

Edit:   THe Carbolic acid suggestion is not presently occuring.  It is a projection in the future.   TOo much CO2 will turn the ocean acidic and dissolve anything with a Calcium carbonate shell.   This includes clams as well as coral.

Answer 9

people polluting the earth.

Answer 10

well, normally if water is warmer, which it is, would let the coral grow more than normal, but were not just making ocean temps warmer, were putting in other harmful chemicals that create more acidic water, so that conditions are just not right anymore for coral to grow...

Answer 11

Coral reefs are being destroyed by constant thoughtless human activities at the seas and oceans. Global warming and pollution adds up to harming them. Corals are also kept as ornamental show pieces which reduces their numbers in the sea. They play important role in balancing under water environmental conditions. As they are dying faster and may disappear completely they are considered endangered so people try to save them. Hope this helps.