Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems that are home to 25% of all marine life, including over 4000 species of fish and thousands more of invertebrates. They form when colonies of corals secrete calcium carbonate to create hard skeletons, which then accumulate into vast structures known as reefs. These ecosystems are highly sensitive to changes in water temperature, acidity, and clarity, making them excellent indicators of ocean health. In the context of science and environmental science, the study of coral reefs helps researchers understand how these complex systems function, respond to disturbances, and recover from damage. Within oceanography specifically, studying coral reefs can shed light on factors affecting marine biodiversity, coastal protection, and global climate change.
External Links
- [CoralReefs.org] Home - International Coral Reef Society
- [CoralReefSnorkeling.com]
- [HawkFish.org] Hawkfish.org Coral Reef Aquarium | Saltwater Fish | Hawkfish | Soft Corals | Hard Corals
- [CoralReef.org] Coral Reef Alliance - Saving the Worlds Coral Reefs
- [coralreefbleaching.com] Coralreefbleaching.com - Coral Reef Bleaching
- [pcrf.org] ::Planetary Coral Reef Foundation:: PCRF
- [CoralReef.gov] U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Homepage
- [ReefSafeSunscreen.org] Reef Safe Sunscreen – We are a small group of divers and water lovers passionate about educating about toxic sunscreen and promoting coral reef and ocean conservation!