Are corals or reef rocks used as construction material?
Coral heads and reef rock are often used to build house foundations, seawalls, and jetties. Coral reefs are also mined to pave roads, to make used in septic systems, and to make lime for mortar. • Is lime sold in markets together with betel nut? In places where the chewing of betel nut is prevalent, coral is harvested to make finely powdered lime that is consumed during chewing to produce the nuts narcotic effects. Certain villages and island communities may specialize in selling such lime and intensively mine corals in their vicinity for this purpose. • Is there land-based mining of reef rock? Dont confuse this type of mining with the excavation of the living coral reef as a source for material. Land-based mining of ancient coral reefs and limestone is usually not harmful to live reef ecosystems It can be a sustainable means to generate income from local resources. • Are certain morphological types of coral missing or damaged? Certain sizes and types of corals are usually targeted by
