Problems for the Corals

Categories and Structure of Coral Reefs There are three basic kinds of coral reefs in the Caribbean: fringing reefs, barrier reefs and atolls. Fringing reefs are coral reefs that grow in shallow waters and border the coast closely or are separated from it by a narrow stretch of water. Fringing reefs consist of several zones that are characterized by their depth, the structure of the reef, and its plant and animal communities. These regions include …

…range from better methods of development in order to decrease runoff to the installation of permanent moorings at heavily used anchorage sites. Whatever the solutions, there always needs to be adequate enforcement to ensure proper techniques are being followed. Unfortunately, enforcement has not been great enough in the past and will probably not be in the future. Therefore, the education and cooperation of people throughout the world is necessary if coral reefs are to survive.