Some Impacts on Coral Reefs Coral reef habitats are extremely sensitive to disturbances, such as various forms of pollution and physical contact. Pollution of coastal watersheds poses a threat to the existence of coral reefs. Impacts can result from activities occurring near the reef itself or from areas within the coastal watershed that drain to the reef. Natural occurrences, such as hurricanes, can adversely impact coral reefs through high-energy storm surges and the resulting resuspension of sediment. However, reefs are usually able to recover from natural disturbances.
People using the reef can have an adverse impact on reef resources.
Portions of a coral reef can be broken by the impact of boat anchors and boat groundings. Divers and snorkelers can harm the reef by simply touching it or by removing the corals. Suntan oil from swimmers and snorkelers can harm or even kill sensitive corals. Dragging hooks, fishing line, and nets across the coral reef, as well as placing and recovering lobster traps on reefs, can be damaging. Overfishing also harms coral reefs by removing important species that eat the algae growing on corals.