Man and diversity in the coral environment

This chapter explores whether reefs can be a model with regard to ecosystem services, their users, their reactions when facing disturbances and their methods of protection. It focuses on a particular characteristic of coral reefs, the role of diversity on this production of biomass. The management of ecosystems is largely based on the principle that species diversity must be protected. Many threats to reefs are specific, but others, such as global changes and even the destruction of habitats or over-exploitation, are common to current complex systems. Coral reefs have many unique characteristics, particularly in terms of habitats, traits associated with recruitment and colonization of environments as well as a rather peculiar evolutionary history. Coral reefs are one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. They are particularly vulnerable due to their dependence on corals as habitat builders.