Which ecosystem services are provided by coral reefs?

• A. Urban development and road maintenance
• B. Desert agriculture
• C. Mountain tourism
• D. Habitat, coastal protection, and fisheries

Answer: (D)

Coral reefs provide a mix of ecosystem services that come from their living structure and location in the coastal ocean. Their complex habitats support a vast diversity of marine life, offering important shelter and nursery areas for many species, which underpins biodiversity and helps sustain fisheries. They also act as natural barriers that dissipate wave energy, reducing coastal erosion and protecting shores from storms and surge. In addition, by supporting fish populations that people rely on for food and livelihoods, reefs contribute to food security and economic activity tied to fisheries.

The other options don’t fit because coral reefs aren’t about urban infrastructure, desert farming, or mountain tourism. The services described—habitat, coastal protection, and fisheries—are the key ways reefs benefit both ecosystems and human communities.