Coral Reef Definition
What is the definition of a Coral Reef? There may be many, but a simple one would be: underwater aragonite structures created by microorganisms. These amazing “underwater rainforests” create a habitat for an abundant amount of marine wildlife.
How is a Coral Reef Constructed?
Coral Reefs are constructed of an accumulation of organisms called polyps that are related to sea anemones. Coral secretes limestone around itself to act as a skeleton. In the symbiotic relationship with the zooxanthellae organism, the polyps divide and grow through a photosynthetic process. Coral colonies form and construct Coral Reefs.
What are some Interesting Facts about Coral?
Coral Reefs have existed for millions of years. They can only grow about three centimeters a year, so we know they took quite a long time to become what they are today. There are also many different species of Coral Reef and they can be found in an array of colors.
What Creatures are found in a Coral Reef?
There are thousands of various marine animals found in the Coral Reef ecosystem. These include starfish, sponges, sea urchins, mollusks, crab, algae and much more. All of the organisms in the Coral Reef habitat depend on one another to survive.
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