What makes a coral or rocky reef appear beautiful? A recent University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa study found that beauty is strongly linked to both the number of species and the presence of especially colorful or uniquely-shaped fish. This has become increasingly important for both conservation and economic valuation of these ecosystems.
The research, co-authored by UH Mānoa oceanography graduate student Aaron Judah, was published in June 2025 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
"There are many threats facing the future of our worldʻs reef ecosystems," said Judah. "We need to strive to conserve both their dazzling biodiversity and the important functions and provisions they support. This study informs a management approach of reefs that incorporates natureʻs contributions to people."
The study also showed that marine protected areas amplify this beauty. These effects are especially pronounced in tropical regions, regardless of a country's wealth. This highlights the importance of integrating aesthetic value into biodiversity protection policies. In addition to their ecological role, coral reefs offer a powerful emotional connection between people and nature. Marine protected areas help preserve this connection while supporting sustainable tourism, which is essential to the local economy in many countries of the Global South (developing nations in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Oceania).
Preserving beauty, supporting life
Judah was part of an international team of researchers, led by Matthew McLean at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) and Nicolas Mouquet at the Université de Montpellier, who analyzed the perceived beauty of more than 3,500 groups of reef fish around the world. The team combined data from a global reef monitoring program with assessments of fish species' aesthetic appeal, gathered through online surveys conducted with the public.
"Rocky and coral reefs, which are among the most colorful and vibrant ecosystems on the planet, attract millions of visitors each year and generate major economic benefits, especially in developing tropical countries," said McLean, UNCW assistant professor of biology and marine biology.
Coral reefs also play a vital ecological role, connect people to nature and support local tourism, so protecting their beauty should be a key part of conservation. With less than 7% of reefs currently benefiting from effective protection, this study calls for a rethinking of conservation priorities. Preserving the rich beauty of the oceans helps protect and support fisheries, tourism, and human well-being simultaneously, and tropical, developing countries can benefit most.
"The beauty of nature influences our attachment to ecosystems and our willingness to protect them," said Mouquet. "In the face of the rapid decline of these ecosystems, better understanding of what makes a reef beautiful in the eyes of the public has become a key conservation issue."
The post Protecting the beauty of reefs bolsters conservation, economy first appeared on University of Hawaiʻi System News .
