About River & Reef
River & Reef provides curated news, research, and resources for understanding and enjoying the world’s rivers and reefs.
Why rivers and reefs matter
Rivers and reefs are part of daily life for billions of people. Roughly half of humanity lives within 2 miles (3 km) of a freshwater body, and 90% lives within 6 miles (10 km). Along the coast, 15% of the global population lives within 6 miles (10 km) of shore, and 29% lives within 30 miles (50 km). Many of these communities, particularly in the tropics, depend directly on coral reefs for storm protection, food, and livelihoods.
These ecosystems also offer outsized ecological benefits. Freshwater habitats cover less than 1% of Earth’s surface but support roughly 10% of known species and a third of all vertebrates. Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the seafloor but support at least 25% of marine species. Together, two of the smallest ecosystems on Earth sustain a vastly disproportionate share of its life. These ecological benefits pass on to human communities, offering billions of dollars in ecosystem services.
What this site offers
This site is for people who need information to make decisions about how they live with, work near, or enjoy rivers and reefs. River & Reef translates technical environmental research into practical, timely resources that can help you answer questions such as:
- Where can I find information about my local river or the reef I’m about to visit?
- What water conditions might affect me?Â
- What do water quality numbers actually mean?
- What conservation efforts are in the news?
- What plants and animals can I expect to see when I visit rivers and reefs?
- How can I help protect the rivers and reefs near me?
- How can I plan for (inevitable) storms and floods?
- How do I visit rivers and reefs responsibly?
Every article and resource draws on high-quality, publicly available sources produced by technical professionals and organizations, and cited so you can verify it yourself.
Note: River & Reef is an independent publication with no institutional affiliation. Sponsored content, when it appears, is clearly labeled.
Disclaimer
The River & Reef website is for educational and entertainment purposes only. No professional advice is offered or implied. For your specific needs and decision-making, consult qualified professionals with specific expertise in these areas.
