Although coral reefs are located mostly in the tropics, they benefit people around the world. Barbados' estimated coral reef area is 92 square kilometers, according to the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies. Barbados' coral reefs have a variety of species such as mollusks, polychaetes, sea urchins, cucumbers, sponges and reef fish.
Barbados' economy and its people's livelihoods are largely dependent on its coral reefs. Tourists choose Barbados because of its beautiful Caribbean waters, snorkeling and scuba diving sites, sandy white beaches and perfect climate. One of the most popular recreational activities for tourists in Barbados is scuba diving. In NOVA Southeastern University's "The value of coral quality to SCUBA divers in Barbados" authors Schuhmann, Casey and Oxenford study the importance of maintaining Barbados' coral reefs for the economy. In their research, they found divers are more willing to pay more money for protected coral reefs that have a diverse number of marine wildlife and plants. They estimate 30,000 to 50,000 divers go to Barbados every year. Tourism in Barbados accounts for about 15 percent of the gross domestic product. The GDP is the market value of all services and goods made within a country.
Coral reef plants and animals have healing properties. Many drugs have been developed from chemicals that exist in coral reef species. One of the most famous of these compounds is AZT, which is used to treat HIV infections. It was developed based on chemicals found in a Caribbean reef sponge. Researchers have created treatments for leukemia, skin cancer, ulcers and cardiovascular diseases from special coral reef compounds. The skeletal structure of the coral reef has been used in making bone grafting materials.
Reefs act as a guard or buffer to protect beaches from ocean waves. Barbados' coral reefs protect its popular white sandy beaches from storm damage and wave action. Because its beaches are an integral part of the tourist industry, their protection is vital to the economic well being.
Barbados' economy and people depend on coral reefs for the abundance of fish and marine wildlife they provide. Locals and fisheries rely on the coral reefs for their livelihood. Coral reefs have more variety of species than anywhere else in the world. Reefs create habitats for more than 700 species of coral, 4,000 species of fish and thousands of other types of animals and plants. Overall, scientists believe that an estimated one million species of animals and plants depend on the coral reef ecosystem.
According to the UNEP, Caribbean Environment Programme, more than 25 percent of the world's coral reefs have been destroyed, as of 2000. Natural causes that threaten coral reefs are pest outbreaks, disease and cyclones. Usually, coral reefs affected by natural causes recover over time. Human pressures such as chemical pollution, sewage, coastal development, overfishing, coral mining and careless scuba divers, boaters, and snorkelers weaken coral reefs and threaten the wildlife dependent upon them.
