The United States is one of the top importers of live coral for aquaria. Ecologically based management can provide important steps to restore reef ecosystems by addressing some of these threats. For example, improved water quality and fisheries management are necessary to restore reef ecosystems. By their very nature, coral reef ecosystems are complex and are not always easy to understand. Ecological research provides valuable insights into the workings of coral reefs and how these can be disrupted.
Ecological research has helped identify some of the causes of reef degradation.
Recent studies suggest that the loss of large predatory fish and other key components of the ecosystem, such as snappers and lobsters, have caused major disruptions of reef food webs. These disruptions have lead to the loss of coral and increases in algae. The causative agents of these diseases are still not fully understood. Alternatives to destructive fishing practices can be obtained through information collected on the life and breeding cycles of threatened reef species such as groupers can lead to reduced stress through commercial breeding. Ecological knowledge is key to reef management and restoration, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the status of reefs are essential components of these efforts.