Coral Reefs - National Geographic Society
WEBJul 18, 2024 · Coral reefs are important ocean habitats and offer a compelling case of the risks of climate change. Reefs provide a large fraction of Earth’s biodiversity —they have been called “the rainforests of the seas.”
Coral reef | Description, Geochemistry, Origins, & Threats
WEB4 days ago · Coral reef, ridge or hummock formed in shallow ocean areas by algae and the calcareous skeletons of coral polyps and other coelenterates. A coral reef may grow into a permanent coral island. Often called ‘rainforests of the sea,’ coral reefs are home to a spectacular variety of organisms.
Coral reef - Wikipedia
WEBA coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. [1] Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps cluster in groups. Coral belongs to the class Anthozoa in the animal phylum Cnidaria, which includes sea anemones and ...
Coral reef ecosystems - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
WEBFeb 1, 2019 · Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Coral polyps, the animals primarily responsible for building reefs, can take many forms: large reef building colonies, graceful flowing fans, and even small, solitary organisms.
What Are Coral Reefs? - Live Science
WEBSep 24, 2018 · Coral reefs are large underwater structures composed of the skeletons of colonial marine invertebrates called coral. The coral species that build reefs are known as hermatypic, or "hard,"...
Coral Reefs 101 | National Geographic - YouTube
WEBWhat are coral reefs? Coral can be found in tropical ocean waters around the world. But how much do you know about reefs and the tiny animals—polyps—that bui...
Basic Information about Coral Reefs | US EPA - U.S.
WEBFeb 28, 2024 · Coral reefs provide habitat for a large variety of marine life, including various sponges, oysters, clams, crabs, sea stars, sea urchins, and many species of fish. Coral reefs are also linked ecologically to nearby …
Reef - National Geographic Society
WEBOct 19, 2023 · There are three kinds of coral reefs: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. A fringing reef forms along the edge of a coast and is attached to land. It extends outward from shore like a shelf, just below the surface of the water.
Coral - National Geographic Society
WEBJul 18, 2024 · Coral reefs are among the most complex and fascinating marine ecosystems in the sea, and they include a wide range of symbiotic relationships. Coral reefs are sometimes known as the “rainforests of the sea.”
Corals Tutorial: Why are coral reefs important? - NOAA's National …
WEBThis tutorial is an overview of the biology of and threats to coral reefs, as well as efforts being made to conserve and protect them. It includes images, animations, and videos. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.