ReefJam

Coral reefs are important for many reasons. They provide protection and shelter for many different species of fish and other animals. Without coral reefs, the fish would not be able to live or reproduce. Coral reefs help control how much carbon dioxide is in the ocean water.  Without coral and plankton, the amount of carbon dioxide in the water could rise dramatically and that could kill off the very food that they all need to feed on. Coral reefs are also very important because they protect coasts from strong currents and waves by slowing down the water before it hits the shore. They protect our beaches and also attract tourism to our island. Without coral and the parrotfish that feed on them there would be no beaches here on St. Croix! Everyone living on an island such as St. Croix is directly affected by the health of our coral reefs. The treathened Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) is one of our most important reef building corals in the Caribbean. This beautiful but frail colony was photographed in Annaly Bay on the north shore of St. Croix. Photo courtesy of Marjo Aho.