Florida is not the only place on the planet that has coral reefs off of its borders. There are over 100 countries where coral reefs can be found (Alliance, n.d.). Coral reefs are the most common in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Caribbean Sea, and the Persian Gulf. The coral reefs cover 110,000 square miles of our planet (Alliance, n.d.).
Florida Keys Coral Reef:
The Florida Keys coral reef is one of the many coral reefs on our planet and is a large home to many different types of coral and fish. The Florida coral reef is home to around 50 different types of coral that comprise about 80 percent of the coral species in the Tropic Western Atlantic Area and is home to over 150 species of fish (Where, n.d.).
While the Florida Keys coral reef is home to many different species of coral and fish, it is also a large economic outlet for the state of Florida. Florida’s economy is partially dependent on the coral reef because of the boating, fishing, diving, and tourism of the coral reef. Every year the Florida Keys welcomes millions of snorkelers and divers who want to see the reef (Where, n.d.).
These tourists strengthen the economy of Florida, but the number of people visiting the Florida Keys coral reef is also causing it to break down. The number of visitors, boats, and fisherman is too overwhelming for the reef to handle. Coral is very fragile and it can break by just the slightest touch and cause the coral to be inflected with a disease (Where, n.d.).
Chemical and sewage pollution is also effecting the Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem. Coral reef ecosystems are very fragile and require clean and clear water to survive (Sanctuary, 2011). When sediment enters the ecosystem it can cause the coral to die by smothering it, creating deadly algae, or lower the water quality of the area. The Florida Keys is one of the major places where the rivers of Florida end and enter the ocean, so pollutants from all the way from the Mississippi basin. Harmful chemicals are hurting the reefs because they are reducing the water quality, promoting the growth of harmful algae, and causing the coral to be infected with diseases.