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The main threats include overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and sedimentation and pollution from land-based sources.

Sedimentation refers to the process by which sediment, such as sand, silt, and debris, settles onto the ocean floor or other surfaces underwater. It occurs when these particles are carried by water, often as runoff from land, and eventually accumulate on the seabed.

Sedimentation is a threat to coral reefs because it can smother and suffocate coral polyps, preventing them from receiving sunlight and nutrients essential for their survival. When sediment settles on coral reefs, it can block the sunlight needed for photosynthesis by symbiotic algae living within the coral tissues. This can lead to a decline in the algae population, causing coral bleaching and ultimately death of the coral colonies. Additionally, sedimentation can physically damage corals by abrading their surfaces or burying them under layers of sediment, making it difficult for new coral larvae to settle and grow.

Human activities such as deforestation, construction, agriculture, and coastal development can increase sedimentation by accelerating erosion and runoff of sediment into coastal waters. Poor land management practices, such as clear-cutting forests or improper soil conservation measures, can exacerbate sedimentation and its impacts on coral reefs. Therefore, sedimentation is a significant threat to coral reef ecosystems, contributing to their degradation and loss of biodiversity.