Threats
There are many negative effects that ecotourism can have on coral reefs; both direct and indirect. These effects pose a real threat to reef systems, with a large proportion of them already suffering from human- inflicted damage [15]. The scale of human impact on coral reefs was highlighted when studies of fossil evidence showed that reefs had suffered more during the last 30 years than over the previous 220, 000 [14, 15], and around 58% of the world's coral reefs are under threat from human activity [11].
Reef's are directly under attack from scuba divers, snorkelers and swimmers who are trampling on corals and disturbing the natural habitats of many marine animals; and large ships running aground are also causing injuries to coral reefs.
Pollution and climate change pose a serious threat to coral reef communities also; with travel and tourism being a major contribution to this. Reef ecosystems are also more vulnerable to environmental changes so are at a higher risk of species extinctions [12].
These threats are explained more thoroughly using the links below;
Reef's are directly under attack from scuba divers, snorkelers and swimmers who are trampling on corals and disturbing the natural habitats of many marine animals; and large ships running aground are also causing injuries to coral reefs.
Pollution and climate change pose a serious threat to coral reef communities also; with travel and tourism being a major contribution to this. Reef ecosystems are also more vulnerable to environmental changes so are at a higher risk of species extinctions [12].
These threats are explained more thoroughly using the links below;