They are home to more than 4,000 species of fish, 700 species of coral, and thousands of other species of plants and animals. Scientists estimate that, in total, more than one million species of plants and animals are associated with the coral reef ecosystem.
Why do coral reefs have a high biodiversity?
Coral reefs have high levels of biodiversity because of their abundant microhabitats, high levels of nutrients, and high levels of sunlight and warm ...
Do coral reefs have high or low biodiversity?
Coral reefs are believed by many to have the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem on the planet —even more than a tropical rainforest. Occupying less than one percent of the ocean floor, coral reefs are home to more than twenty-five percent of marine life.
How much biodiversity is in the coral reefs?
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. An estimated 25 percent of all marine life , including over 4,000 species of fish, are dependent on coral reefs at some point in their life cycle.
How do coral reefs support biodiversity?
Because of the diversity of life found in the habitats created by corals, reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea.” About 25% of the ocean's fish depend on healthy coral reefs. Fishes and other organisms shelter, find food, reproduce, and rear their young in the many nooks and crannies formed by corals.
Do coral reefs produce oxygen?
Most corals, like other cnidarians, contain a symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, within their gastrodermal cells. ... In return, the algae produce oxygen and help the coral to remove wastes.
Why do coral reefs need fish?
Coral reefs are an important resource for large-bodied fish in the Caribbean. They use the reef for shelter during the day , and as a hunting ground by night. Recent studies have shown that coral reefs rely on fish, too. Fish excrete ammonium, an essential nutrient for coral growth, through their gills.
Do How do coral reefs benefit people?
Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion , provide jobs for local communities, and offer opportunities for recreation. They are also are a source of food and new medicines. Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income, and protection.
What is the largest coral reef in the world?
Some key facts about the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park : covers 344,400 km 2 in area. includes the world's largest coral reef ecosystem. includes some 3000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays and about 150 inshore mangrove islands.
Are corals important?
Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion , provide jobs for local communities, and offer opportunities for recreation. They are also are a source of food and new medicines. Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income, and protection. ... Corals are already a gift.
What is killing coral reefs?
Despite their importance, warming waters, pollution, ocean acidification, overfishing, and physical destruction are killing coral reefs around the world. ... Genetics is also becoming a larger area of coral research, giving scientists hope they might one day restore reefs with more heat tolerant coral.
Where is the largest coral reef formation on Earth?
Stretching for 1,429 miles over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles , the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. The reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia , in the Coral Sea.
What are the 3 types of coral?
The three main types of coral reefs are fringing, barrier, and atoll .
Is coral a plant or animal?
Though coral may look like a colorful plant growing from roots in the seafloor, it is actually an animal . Corals are known as colonial organisms, because many individual creatures live and grow while connected to each other. They are also dependent on one another for survival.
Do coral reefs provide oxygen for humans?
It might come as a surprise to many, but coral reefs also play a vital role in helping us to breathe. Do coral reefs produce oxygen? Yes, they do . Although coral reefs cover only 0.0025% of the ocean floor, they are responsible for producing half of the oxygen present in the Earth's atmosphere.
