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Why are coral reefs so important?

More than just colourful underwater scenery, coral reefs have huge benefits for life on land.

From developing treatments for cancer to protecting shorelines from tsunamis, these diverse ecosystems matter much more than we think.

We explored the wonders of coral reefs in our exhibition Coral Reefs: Secret Cities of the Sea (27 March - 13 September 2015).

Discover oceans

Find out more about life underwater and explore the Museum's marine science.