Improving socio-economic stability and natural sustainability of coral reef ecosystems through mitigation, ecotourism and education

Abstract

Coral reefs and their associated ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass beds are in crisis the world over. They provide billions of dollars of ecosystem services that include fish for human food, protection from hurricane damage, and livelihoods from ecotourists that enjoy snorkelling and/or scuba diving on the coral reefs and in the mangroves. There are measures that people can take that will ensure the survival of these precious ecosystems, which will enhance the quality of not just aquatic life, but of human life as well.