The Weedy Sea Dragon is the only species belonging to the Phyllopteryx genus. This fish species is a close relative of the seahorse and the Leafy Sea Dragon. It is found in different states of Australia.
NOAA is working to understand and address key threats to coral reef ecosystems: the impacts from global climate change, unsustainable fishing practices and pollution. The top threats to coral reefs â global climate change, unsustainable fishing and land-based pollution â are all due to human activities. These threats, combined with others such as tropical storms, disease outbreaks, vessel damage, marine debris and invasive species, exacerbate each other.
Coral bleaching, if it continues, will threaten coral reefs around the world whenever the weather conditions are unusually hot, and will affect not only reefs that are under stress by human usage but also the most remote and pristine reefs so far untouched by human hands. This is a recipe for disaster for any and all reefs. Growth for a reef occurs slowly. Typically reefs can generate approx one inch of growth per year. Any interruption to this slow growth only weakens the coral and severely limits itâs ability to cope with environmental change..