A short video on information related to coral reefs and the USGS.
Why are coral reefs in peril and what is being done to protect them?
Coral reefs can be damaged by natural processes, such as storms, but they are increasingly at risk from human activities. Oil spills and pollutants can threaten entire reefs. Excessive nutrients from land sources, such as sewage and agricultural fertilizers, promote the growth of algae that can smother corals. Other organisms harmful to corals, such as crown-of-thorns starfish, multiply when the species that prey on them are removed.
Coral productivity is also decreased when land developments for agriculture, industry, and housing increase sediment transported from land into coastal waters as runoff. This clouds the waters and blocks light necessary for photosynthesis by algae living in corals. Corals face serious risks from various diseases. When corals are stressed, they often expel the algal symbionts that are critical to their health in a process commonly known as coral bleaching. One known cause of coral bleaching is increases in ocean temperatures, possibly due to global warming.
Scientists worldwide are working to understand the impacts of natural processes and human activities on the health and sustainability of coral reefs. The USGS is contributing to the effort to understand the biological and geological controls that affect our Nation's coral reefs. USGS coral reef research focuses on detailed mapping of reefs, the development of monitoring techniques, studying reefs' geologic growth and development, and how they are affected by water quality, fishing, and sedimentary and hydrologic processes. These efforts will help provide information that is essential if coral reefs are to be saved.
Learn more:
- Pacific Coral Reef Project
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST)
- Coral Bleaching and Disease: Effects on Threatened Corals and Reefs
Related Content
What is marine geology?
Geology is the study of the Earth. This includes how the Earth was formed, how the Earth has changed since it was formed, the materials that make up the Earth, and the processes that act on it. Marine Geology focuses on areas affected by our oceans including the deep ocean floor, the shallower slopes and shelves that surround the continents, and coastal areas like beaches and estuaries. USGS...
What are the differences between endangered, threatened, imperiled, and at-risk species?
Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), plant and animal species may be listed as either endangered or threatened. “Endangered” means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. “Threatened” means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. States have their own ESA-type laws, so species can have different Threatened...
Why do animals and plants become endangered?
Although extinctions occur naturally, the current rate of plant and animal extinctions is much higher than the natural or historical rates. Habitat loss is the primary cause of higher extinction rates. Other causes include habitat changes, over-exploitation of wildlife for commercial purposes, the introduction of harmful nonnative species, pollution, and the spread of diseases. Learn more...
What are the long-term effects of climate change?
Scientists have predicted that long-term effects of climate change will include a decrease in sea ice and an increase in permafrost thawing, an increase in heat waves and heavy precipitation, and decreased water resources in semi-arid regions. Below are some of the regional impacts of global change forecast by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: North America: Decreasing snowpack in the...
What is the difference between global warming and climate change?
Although people tend to use these terms interchangeably, global warming is just one aspect of climate change. “Global warming” refers to the rise in global temperatures due mainly to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. “Climate change” refers to the increasing changes in the measures of climate over a long period of time – including precipitation, temperature, and...
How would sea level change if all glaciers melted?
There is still some uncertainty about the full volume of glaciers and ice caps on Earth, but if all of them were to melt, global sea level would rise approximately 70 meters (approximately 230 feet), flooding every coastal city on the planet. Learn more: USGS Water Science School: Glaciers and Icecaps National Snow and Ice Data Center: Facts about Glaciers U.S. Global Change Research Program: Sea...
Why are coral reefs in peril and what is being done to protect them?
A short video on information related to coral reefs and the USGS.
PubTalk 4/2018 - Coral Reefs
Title: The Role of U.S. Coral Reefs in Coastal Protection - Rigorously valuing flood reduction benefits to inform coastal zone management decisions
Title: The Role of U.S. Coral Reefs in Coastal Protection - Rigorously valuing flood reduction benefits to inform coastal zone management decisions
SCUBA Diver Collects Corals for Paleoclimate
A USGS SCUBA Diver Collects a Core from a Coral Using a Hydraulic Drilling System in the U.S. Virgin Islands. USGS Image (I. Kuffner).
A USGS SCUBA Diver Collects a Core from a Coral Using a Hydraulic Drilling System in the U.S. Virgin Islands. USGS Image (I. Kuffner).
PubTalk 9/2015 — Coral Reefs, Climate Change, and Atoll Sustainability
Will Micronesians become the U.S.'s first climate change refugees?
by Curt Storlazzi, USGS Research Geologist and Oceanographer
Will Micronesians become the U.S.'s first climate change refugees?
by Curt Storlazzi, USGS Research Geologist and Oceanographer
Resilience Potential of Coral Reefs in the Mariana Islands
This webinar was conducted as part of the "Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series" held in partnership between the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the FWS National Conservation Training Center.
This webinar was conducted as part of the "Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series" held in partnership between the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the FWS National Conservation Training Center.
Exploring Causes of Coral Disease
The Hawaiian Islands’ beautiful ocean and beaches attract more than 8.5 million tourists each year. The USGS aims to help Hawaii preserve its underwater natural resources by tracing how oceanography may influence coral disease outbreaks.
The Hawaiian Islands’ beautiful ocean and beaches attract more than 8.5 million tourists each year. The USGS aims to help Hawaii preserve its underwater natural resources by tracing how oceanography may influence coral disease outbreaks.
Fire Coral Bleaching
Colonies of “blade fire coral” that have lost their symbiotic algae, or “bleached,” on a reef off of Islamorada, Florida. Hard and soft corals are presently bleaching- losing their symbiotic algae – all over the coral reefs of the Florida Keys due to unusually warm ocean temperatures this summer.
Colonies of “blade fire coral” that have lost their symbiotic algae, or “bleached,” on a reef off of Islamorada, Florida. Hard and soft corals are presently bleaching- losing their symbiotic algae – all over the coral reefs of the Florida Keys due to unusually warm ocean temperatures this summer.
PubTalk 6/2014 — Into the Abyss
Living Without Light
by Nancy Prouty, Research Oceanographer
Living Without Light
by Nancy Prouty, Research Oceanographer
Sampling Diseased Coral
USGS scientist Thierry Work takes a sample from diseased coral at Tunnels Reef on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii
USGS scientist Thierry Work takes a sample from diseased coral at Tunnels Reef on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii
A Healthy Coral Reef
Taken at Palmyra National Wildlife Refuge
Taken at Palmyra National Wildlife Refuge
Coral Reef Affected by White Syndrome
Coral reef affected by Montipora White Syndrome. Note the large swath of white skeleton tissue surrounded by normal (brown) corals.
Coral reef affected by Montipora White Syndrome. Note the large swath of white skeleton tissue surrounded by normal (brown) corals.
Corals: A 50-Year Photographic Record of Changes
This video podcast highlights 50 years of photographic documentation of coral reefs in the Florida Keys. The photographs show 5 decades of changes that have taken place in both the size and the types of corals that were present at several coral reef sites from the early 1960s to today. The images capture events such as the appearance of coral disease and
This video podcast highlights 50 years of photographic documentation of coral reefs in the Florida Keys. The photographs show 5 decades of changes that have taken place in both the size and the types of corals that were present at several coral reef sites from the early 1960s to today. The images capture events such as the appearance of coral disease and
PubTalk 1/2010 — Coral Reefs, the 6th Extinction, and You
By Michael Field, Senior Marine Geologist
By Michael Field, Senior Marine Geologist
USGS Coral Reef Researcher
Don Hickey finishes installing ocean chemistry monitoring equipment on Sombrero Reef, Florida Keys.
Don Hickey finishes installing ocean chemistry monitoring equipment on Sombrero Reef, Florida Keys.
Coral Concern: The World's Reefs Face Big Issues
Coral reefs are one of Earth's most beautiful and vital ecosystems—and they are declining at a rapid pace.
Mike Field, Chief of the USGS Pacific Coral Reef Project, talks about the importance of coral reefs and how pollution, climate change, and other factors are affecting them.
Coral reefs are one of Earth's most beautiful and vital ecosystems—and they are declining at a rapid pace.
Mike Field, Chief of the USGS Pacific Coral Reef Project, talks about the importance of coral reefs and how pollution, climate change, and other factors are affecting them.
Coral Sampling
Small sprigs of glass coral are snipped off by the submersible's manipulator and transferred to a multi-chambered sampler for bacterial and genetic analyses. Attracted by the disturbance, a large Conger Eel (Conger oceanicus) then a Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), investigates the scene.
Small sprigs of glass coral are snipped off by the submersible's manipulator and transferred to a multi-chambered sampler for bacterial and genetic analyses. Attracted by the disturbance, a large Conger Eel (Conger oceanicus) then a Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), investigates the scene.
Related Content
- FAQ
What is marine geology?
Geology is the study of the Earth. This includes how the Earth was formed, how the Earth has changed since it was formed, the materials that make up the Earth, and the processes that act on it. Marine Geology focuses on areas affected by our oceans including the deep ocean floor, the shallower slopes and shelves that surround the continents, and coastal areas like beaches and estuaries. USGS...
What are the differences between endangered, threatened, imperiled, and at-risk species?
Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), plant and animal species may be listed as either endangered or threatened. “Endangered” means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. “Threatened” means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. States have their own ESA-type laws, so species can have different Threatened...
Why do animals and plants become endangered?
Although extinctions occur naturally, the current rate of plant and animal extinctions is much higher than the natural or historical rates. Habitat loss is the primary cause of higher extinction rates. Other causes include habitat changes, over-exploitation of wildlife for commercial purposes, the introduction of harmful nonnative species, pollution, and the spread of diseases. Learn more...
What are the long-term effects of climate change?
Scientists have predicted that long-term effects of climate change will include a decrease in sea ice and an increase in permafrost thawing, an increase in heat waves and heavy precipitation, and decreased water resources in semi-arid regions. Below are some of the regional impacts of global change forecast by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: North America: Decreasing snowpack in the...
What is the difference between global warming and climate change?
Although people tend to use these terms interchangeably, global warming is just one aspect of climate change. “Global warming” refers to the rise in global temperatures due mainly to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. “Climate change” refers to the increasing changes in the measures of climate over a long period of time – including precipitation, temperature, and...
How would sea level change if all glaciers melted?
There is still some uncertainty about the full volume of glaciers and ice caps on Earth, but if all of them were to melt, global sea level would rise approximately 70 meters (approximately 230 feet), flooding every coastal city on the planet. Learn more: USGS Water Science School: Glaciers and Icecaps National Snow and Ice Data Center: Facts about Glaciers U.S. Global Change Research Program: Sea...
- Multimedia
Why are coral reefs in peril and what is being done to protect them?
A short video on information related to coral reefs and the USGS.
A short video on information related to coral reefs and the USGS.
PubTalk 4/2018 - Coral ReefsTitle: The Role of U.S. Coral Reefs in Coastal Protection - Rigorously valuing flood reduction benefits to inform coastal zone management decisions
Title: The Role of U.S. Coral Reefs in Coastal Protection - Rigorously valuing flood reduction benefits to inform coastal zone management decisions
SCUBA Diver Collects Corals for PaleoclimateA USGS SCUBA Diver Collects a Core from a Coral Using a Hydraulic Drilling System in the U.S. Virgin Islands. USGS Image (I. Kuffner).
A USGS SCUBA Diver Collects a Core from a Coral Using a Hydraulic Drilling System in the U.S. Virgin Islands. USGS Image (I. Kuffner).
PubTalk 9/2015 — Coral Reefs, Climate Change, and Atoll SustainabilityWill Micronesians become the U.S.'s first climate change refugees?
by Curt Storlazzi, USGS Research Geologist and Oceanographer
Will Micronesians become the U.S.'s first climate change refugees?
by Curt Storlazzi, USGS Research Geologist and Oceanographer
Resilience Potential of Coral Reefs in the Mariana IslandsThis webinar was conducted as part of the "Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series" held in partnership between the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the FWS National Conservation Training Center.
This webinar was conducted as part of the "Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series" held in partnership between the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the FWS National Conservation Training Center.
Exploring Causes of Coral DiseaseThe Hawaiian Islands’ beautiful ocean and beaches attract more than 8.5 million tourists each year. The USGS aims to help Hawaii preserve its underwater natural resources by tracing how oceanography may influence coral disease outbreaks.
The Hawaiian Islands’ beautiful ocean and beaches attract more than 8.5 million tourists each year. The USGS aims to help Hawaii preserve its underwater natural resources by tracing how oceanography may influence coral disease outbreaks.
Fire Coral BleachingColonies of “blade fire coral” that have lost their symbiotic algae, or “bleached,” on a reef off of Islamorada, Florida. Hard and soft corals are presently bleaching- losing their symbiotic algae – all over the coral reefs of the Florida Keys due to unusually warm ocean temperatures this summer.
Colonies of “blade fire coral” that have lost their symbiotic algae, or “bleached,” on a reef off of Islamorada, Florida. Hard and soft corals are presently bleaching- losing their symbiotic algae – all over the coral reefs of the Florida Keys due to unusually warm ocean temperatures this summer.
PubTalk 6/2014 — Into the AbyssLiving Without Light
by Nancy Prouty, Research Oceanographer
Living Without Light
by Nancy Prouty, Research Oceanographer
Sampling Diseased CoralUSGS scientist Thierry Work takes a sample from diseased coral at Tunnels Reef on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii
USGS scientist Thierry Work takes a sample from diseased coral at Tunnels Reef on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii
A Healthy Coral ReefTaken at Palmyra National Wildlife Refuge
Taken at Palmyra National Wildlife Refuge
Coral Reef Affected by White SyndromeCoral reef affected by Montipora White Syndrome. Note the large swath of white skeleton tissue surrounded by normal (brown) corals.
Coral reef affected by Montipora White Syndrome. Note the large swath of white skeleton tissue surrounded by normal (brown) corals.
Corals: A 50-Year Photographic Record of ChangesThis video podcast highlights 50 years of photographic documentation of coral reefs in the Florida Keys. The photographs show 5 decades of changes that have taken place in both the size and the types of corals that were present at several coral reef sites from the early 1960s to today. The images capture events such as the appearance of coral disease and
This video podcast highlights 50 years of photographic documentation of coral reefs in the Florida Keys. The photographs show 5 decades of changes that have taken place in both the size and the types of corals that were present at several coral reef sites from the early 1960s to today. The images capture events such as the appearance of coral disease and
PubTalk 1/2010 — Coral Reefs, the 6th Extinction, and YouBy Michael Field, Senior Marine Geologist
By Michael Field, Senior Marine Geologist
USGS Coral Reef ResearcherDon Hickey finishes installing ocean chemistry monitoring equipment on Sombrero Reef, Florida Keys.
Don Hickey finishes installing ocean chemistry monitoring equipment on Sombrero Reef, Florida Keys.
Coral Concern: The World's Reefs Face Big IssuesCoral reefs are one of Earth's most beautiful and vital ecosystems—and they are declining at a rapid pace.
Mike Field, Chief of the USGS Pacific Coral Reef Project, talks about the importance of coral reefs and how pollution, climate change, and other factors are affecting them.
Coral reefs are one of Earth's most beautiful and vital ecosystems—and they are declining at a rapid pace.
Mike Field, Chief of the USGS Pacific Coral Reef Project, talks about the importance of coral reefs and how pollution, climate change, and other factors are affecting them.
Coral SamplingSmall sprigs of glass coral are snipped off by the submersible's manipulator and transferred to a multi-chambered sampler for bacterial and genetic analyses. Attracted by the disturbance, a large Conger Eel (Conger oceanicus) then a Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), investigates the scene.
Small sprigs of glass coral are snipped off by the submersible's manipulator and transferred to a multi-chambered sampler for bacterial and genetic analyses. Attracted by the disturbance, a large Conger Eel (Conger oceanicus) then a Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), investigates the scene.
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