Why We Need Coral Reefs
The lesson from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is that we have to
protect its biodiversity – because biodiversity in turn protects us.
That’s the message from Professor Sean Connolly from the ARC Centre of
Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and James Cook University who today
receives the Australian Academy of Science’s prestigious Fenner medal
for his pioneering work in understanding how ecosystems develop and
maintain their amazing diversity.
“The Great Barrier Reef is one of the richest systems of living things on the Planet. Understanding how it became so rich, and how to keep it that way, is essential for its survival – as well as for all our industries and activities that depend upon the Reef,” he says.
Professor Connolly says his research shows that that species diversity lies at the heart of stable ecosystems.
Since ecosystems help to support humanity in many ways – with food, clean air and water as well as livelihoods, industries and recreation – keeping them in a condition to continue to support us is vital, he argues.
