The Benefits.
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks". - (Hamlet; Act III, Scene II).So here's the low-down on what's up. People don't like to help unless it benefits them in some way. It's like the golden rule concept. People only do things for each other because they think that in the future, someone else (if not the same person) will return the favor.
It's a sad truth because it can basically be summed up to conclude that on a grand scale, human nature is inherently selfish. I wish I didn't have to believe it, and there are some people who have proven that statement false on a minor scale - I greatly respect those people- but this is what its come to I guess.
So here's a list of benefits (in no particular order) that try to capture what exactly coral reefs do for us humans.
- supports extraordinary biodiversity (25% of ocean's species)
- natural breakwaters (to shield from storms)
- aesthetic appeal
- oxygen (plankton are responsible for photosynthesis and the ocean is the biggest carbon dioxide reservoir in the world)
- food/protein source
- MEDICINE (some scientists believe that cancer remedies and treatments for other illnesses can be found here)
- tourism/jobs (largest industry in the world)
- research for bone growth in humans (similar to how coral secrete limestone)
- important role in biogeochemical cycles (especially the carbon cycle)
- high economic value
- CaCO3 (Calcium carbonate) helps maintain pH balance so life is sustainable in those poor-nutrient conditions
A page from the University of Texas.
IYOR's take on things.
posted by Sage @ 8/25/2008 04:13:00 PM
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