Endangered Coral Reef Plants

Avid snorkelers and scuba divers enjoy viewing colorful underwater habitats like coral reefs. However with coral disease outbreaks and degradation, some species of corals and coral reef plants are at risk of extinction. Aside from adverse effects on tourism and recreation, marine species that rely on coral reef ecosystems are even more negatively impacted. The endangerment of coral reefs ecosystems are caused by pollution, increased predation, hurricanes, invasive green algae, coral bleaching, damage from mechanical fishing gear, fishing pots, propellers and anchors, among other factors.

  1. Coral Reef Plants

    • Coral reef plants include marine algae, sea grasses and mangroves. Marine algae thrive in coral reefs; they play an important role in coral reef ecosystems and are essential to the survival and formation of coral reefs. Sea grasses are often restricted to lagoon waters but are abundant in many coral reef ecosystems. They support a diversity of marine animal and plant life. Coral reef plants contribute to the survival of coral reefs and vice versa.

    Coral Reef

    • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, lists elkhorn and staghorn corals as threatened species. Threatened means that the species are likely to become endangered within the near future. Species that are listed as endangered are at risk of extinction throughout their range or most of their range. The demise of the coral reef ecosystems can significantly affect the population of coral reef plants.

    Coral Reef Plant

    • Johnson's sea grass is listed as a threatened species throughout its range by the NOAA. The species grow in coastal lagoons and may inhabit coral reef ecosystems in areas with coarse sand and muddy substrates with high tidal currents and turbid waters. Scuba divers and snorkelers may find this marine plant along Florida's east coast from Biscayne Bay to Sebastian Inlet. Its southernmost range is in the waters of Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay.

    Conservation

    • Conservation of coral reefs ecosystems will benefit fish populations as well as marine plants like algae, sea grasses and mangroves. Human activities like boating (propellers can scar the reef), water pollution and harvesting of corals for marine souvenirs damage the entire coral reef population and must be eliminated or regulated to sustain marine wildlife. To help conserve marine plant and animal life, avoid purchasing coral souvenirs and polluting waters. Refrain from overfishing and boating in reef areas. Providing support to legislation that prohibits damaging activities to the ocean also aids conservation.

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