Coral Reefs
A Coral reef is a sea understanding made out of living organisms, which mutually forms a wall. Rocky corals are usually the main organism found in a coral reef. A coral reef is also "constructed" by the thousands of fish, sponges, and sea urchins grazing around the area. As these organisms move about, they actually help the coral reef settle and gain a more stable structure.
Coral reefs are located in less than 1% of the world’s oceans. Coral reefs are commonly found in tropical oceans near the equator between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn. The water temperature is usually constant year round. Coral reefs are found in shallow water, ranging to depths of 60 m as coral reeds need sunlight to grow depths deeper than 60m corals do not grow, Some species prefer either cooler temperate water while others are found in the tropics such as the Great Barrier Reef, with water temperatures ranging in temperatures from 18 - 33 °C.
Features of a coral reef
- · Hard corals
- · Soft corals
- · Marine life
- · Reproduction