Table of Contents

Coral Reefs

Most diverse ecosystems on Earth

Coral reefs are one of the oldest and most diverse ecosystems on Earth, with some of them being over 20 million years old. 1)

Formed by colonies of small animals

Coral reefs are formed by colonies of small animals called coral polyps that extract calcium carbonate from seawater to build their skeletons. 2)

Rainforests of the sea

Coral reefs are often referred to as “the rainforests of the sea” because of their rich diversity of plant and animal life. 3)

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Australia, is the largest coral reef system in the world, stretching over 1,400 miles. 4)

Critical habitats

Coral reefs provide critical habitats and nursery grounds for numerous species of fish, including many commercially important species. 5)

Important tourist destinations

Coral reefs are also important tourist destinations, generating billions of dollars in revenue each year from activities such as diving and snorkeling. 6)

Natural breakwaters

Coral reefs act as natural breakwaters, protecting coastlines from the impacts of waves and storms. 7)

Threats

Coral reefs are facing significant threats, including climate change, pollution, overfishing, and disease. 8)

Climate change

The warming of seawater and the acidification of the oceans, both of which are consequences of climate change, are among the biggest threats to coral reefs. 9)

Carbon cycle

Coral reefs also play a significant role in the carbon cycle, absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 10)

Home to many species of algae

Coral reefs are home to many species of algae, which provide the coral with energy through photosynthesis. 11)

Important sources of new medicines

Coral reefs are also important sources of new medicines, with compounds extracted from coral and other reef organisms being used to treat a wide range of illnesses. 12)

Acropora

Some species of coral can grow as much as 9 cm per year, making them some of the fastest-growing organisms on Earth. 13)

Colors of coral reefs

The colors of coral reefs are created by the algae that live in symbiosis with the coral, with different species of coral and algae producing different colors. 14)

500 species of coral

There are over 500 species of coral found on reefs around the world, with each species having its own unique characteristics and adaptations. 15)