Sep 25, 2025 · 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, …

Coral reef ecosystems contain distinct zones that host different kinds of habitats. Usually, three major zones are recognized: the fore reef, the reef crest, and the back reef (also called the reef lagoon).

Dec 26, 2025 · 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 …

What is a coral reef? Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth, rivaled only by tropical rain forests. They are made up not only of hard and soft corals, but also sponges, …

Oct 15, 2024 · A coral reef is a term used to describe the collective structure of hard corals that help shape a coral reef ecosystem. “A coral reef is a reef whose main structure is made by living …

Feb 5, 2025 · Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. This web site describes the importance of coral reefs, threats to them, and ongoing efforts to protect …

Nov 19, 2025 · Our global ocean provides equally essential ecosystem services—including half of the oxygen we breathe—and coral reefs are among the primary sources of these services.

Jan 20, 2025 · The loss of coral reef ecosystems has profound impacts on biodiversity in our ocean, and also the livelihoods and safety of hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Coral reefs represent large, intricate underwater formations constructed by the calcified skeletons of tiny marine invertebrates known as coral polyps. These structures are not merely geological features but …

The coral reef ecosystem not only builds itself, but also sustains itself. For many millions of years so far. Where can you find coral reefs? Tropical coral reefs grow in the light-flooded shallow waters between …