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.
Few economic valuations of MNPs are currently available, however a valuation model of anti-cancer drugs alone suggests that a 20% loss of coral reef biodiversity would equate to a market value loss of US$112 billion -1.14 trillion. 1  Around two million species are found in coral reefs.