Biotechnology and Reef Environment

Coral reefs are considered the habitat exhibiting the greatest biodiversity within the marine realm. Besides their ecological functions, coral reefs shelter one quarter to one third of all marine species, encompassing microorganisms, macroalgae and invertebrates of great economic importance, since they may be a source of inspiration for marine biotechnology. But coral reefs are also vulnerable to a variety of adversities, such as eutrophication, increased sedimentation, overfishing and overexploitation of other reef-based resources. This chapter presents an overview on marine biotechnology, although not exhaustive, exploring the origin and development of the Brazilian marine biotechnology and the biotechnological potential of marine organisms from coral reefs. The main focus herein is to discuss approaches of exploiting such biotechnological potential in an ecologically friendly or sustainable manner and, furthermore, on the means by which the products of processes obtained thereof can be used to improve the quality of human life and, also, in favor of the coral reefs themselves.