Coral Reef Ecology

Do coral reefs need warm water? Read more on coral.org Millions of marine species call coral reefs home, making it one of the most diverse ecosystems on the world. They are composed of countless microscopic organisms called polyps and are found in warm, shallow seas. The reef’s structure is created by the strong calcium carbonate … Read more

What are massive corals? Massive corals are characteristically ball- or boulder-shaped and relatively slow-growing. Because they have very stable profiles, massive corals are seldom damaged by strong wave action unless they are dislodged from their holdfasts. Read more on oceanservice.noaa.gov The world’s most diverse ecosystems, coral reefs serve as vital habitat for a wide variety … Read more