Coral reef condition: A status report for the Pacific Remote Islands

Healthy coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse, culturally significant, and economically valuable ecosystems on Earth. They are nursery grounds for fish and other organisms, provide food and jobs for people, and protect coasts against erosion around the world. The U.S. Pacific Remote Islands encompass seven islands and atolls scattered across the central Pacific Ocean that represent relatively pristine, beautiful, and wild coral reef ecosystems. Howland, Baker, and Jarvis Islands are geographically situated near the equator. Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll are north of Jarvis Island, and Wake Atoll and Johnston Atoll are farther north and west of Kingman Reef. 2018 NOS (National Ocean Service) NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System) Library Public Domain 1936