Abundant Flora and Fauna
Shark swimming over a coral reef
Coral reefs are ecosystems especially known to be homes to an extreme biodiversity of living organisms; plants and animals alike. They are almost comparable to a underwater tropical rainforest (the biome consisting of the most biodiversity in the world) because of their diversity and the fact that they are home to about 25% of the marine life in the world. Here in the warm shallow water and protection of coral reefs, numerous organisms are nurtured and thrive. Coral reefs are homes to a diverse range of organisms including a variety of corals, algae, fish, sea anemones, small benthos (such as worms, clams...etc.), and numerous other organisms. While coral reefs are mostly home to smaller organisms and fish, larger organisms such as dugongs, whales, sea turtles and sharks (etc...) also pass through coral reefs from the open ocean or can have a symbiotic relationship with some of the smaller organisms living in the reefs, although coral reefs might not be their ideal habitat.
Coral reefs are made up of little living organisms called coral polyps and algae living inside these tiny corals. Eventually over the years, the skeletons of all the discharged calcium carbonate from inside the coral polyps accumulates and builds a coral reef. Since coral reefs have many little holes and ground cover, they are the ideal homes with more than adequate protection from predator in the shadows of the coral. These little coral polyps are crucial to coral reefs and all the other biodiversity revolves around these tiny little producers. As you can see below, corals come in many different shapes, colors and types (including both hard and soft corals).
Coral reefs are made up of little living organisms called coral polyps and algae living inside these tiny corals. Eventually over the years, the skeletons of all the discharged calcium carbonate from inside the coral polyps accumulates and builds a coral reef. Since coral reefs have many little holes and ground cover, they are the ideal homes with more than adequate protection from predator in the shadows of the coral. These little coral polyps are crucial to coral reefs and all the other biodiversity revolves around these tiny little producers. As you can see below, corals come in many different shapes, colors and types (including both hard and soft corals).
Here are some examples of the anatomy of different coral polyps and coral structures: