Coral Reefs

Coastal development

This astronaut photograph of Athens in June 2004 includes areas of new construction or renovation for the Olympic Games (harbours, airports). The image also demonstrates the control of bounding mountain ranges (Mts. Aigeleos and Hymettos) on the western and southern expansion of the Athens urban area. Photo: NASA.

Corals experience many negative consequences from activities close to the coast: the construction of shoreline protection infrastructure, harbours, airports and tourist resorts. But also dumping spoils into the water, mining the reef areas for construction material and toxic pollutions caused by mines and industrial activities do much harm to them.