Coral Reefs

What Can I Do to Protect Coral Reefs?

Hidden beneath the ocean waters, coral reefs teem with life. Coral reefs support more species than any other marine environment and rival rainforests in their biodiversity. Countless numbers of creatures rely on coral reefs for their survival. These important habitats are threatened by a range of human activities. Many of the world’s reefs have already been destroyed or severely damaged by an increasing array of threats, including pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, and global climate change. However, we can still protect and preserve our remaining reefs if we act now.

Resources and Education

Are Corals Animals or Plants?

Coral, a sessile animal, relies on its relationship with plant-like algae to build the largest structures of biological origin on Earth.

Coral Reef Conservation Program

Through the activities of the Coral Reef Conservation Program, NOAA works to address key threats that impact coral reefs.

Coral Reef Information System

Access to NOAA coral reef information and data products with emphasis on the U.S. states, territories, and remote island areas.

How Does Climate Change Affect Coral Reefs?

The varied effects of climate change are changing the ocean; these changes dramatically affect coral reef ecosystems

What is Coral Bleaching?

When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white.

Coral Bleaching Thermal Stress Outlook

Coral Reef Watch's CFS-based Outlook predicts the likelihood of coral bleaching heat stress up to four months in the future (the typical length of a bleaching season).

Corals Tutorial

An overview of the biology of and threats to coral reefs, as well as efforts being made to conserve and protect them. It includes images, animations, and videos.

Does Coral Jewelry Make a Good Gift?

Many consumers are unaware that these beautiful structures are made by living creatures that are dying off at alarming rates around the world.

Podcasts and Video

Deep Ocean Corals

Discover new terrain with researchers as they explore corals deep beneath the ocean at Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hawaii.

Connecting the Dots

Coral reefs are under intense pressure from climate change, pollution, and heavy use. So what can we do about it?

Resilient Reefs

Explore how creating more resilient reefs may be an effective strategy to address the impacts of climate change.

Coral Bleaching

What happens when a coral bleaches? Learn more in this Ocean Shorts podcast episode.