1. Coral reefs are made up of living coral animals and the hard skeletons they leave behind.
2. Coral reefs are important because they provide habitats for many marine species, protect coastlines from storms, and support tourism and fishing industries.
3. The main threats to coral reefs include pollution, overfishing, climate change (which causes ocean warming and acidification), and physical damage from anchors or tourism.
4. People can help protect coral reefs by reducing pollution (especially plastic and chemicals), supporting sustainable seafood, reducing carbon footprints to combat climate change, and being responsible tourists (e.g., not touching or stepping on corals).
5. Coral reefs are often called the "rainforests of the sea" because they are incredibly biodiverse, supporting a vast array of marine life in a relatively small area, much like rainforests do on land.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of reading comprehension worksheets 7th grade.
