Coral Reefs

A global environment
Coral Reef Ecosystems
Coral Reefs support a large number of plants and
animals.
Coral Reefs are built by millions of tiny animals
called polyps.
Some coral polyp species receive more than 60%
of their food from algae.
Each coral colony begins life as a single polyp,
which then reproduces itself as a single polyp,
which then reproduces itself by budding or by
dividing.
Common types of coral formations
Branching coral
Common types of coral formations
Plate or table coral
Common types of coral formations
A solitary colony
Common types of coral formations
Brain coral
Biodiversity in a Coral Reef
Species include: different species of fish,
algae, polyps, sharks and other predators,
giant clams, sea turtles, whales and dolphins.
Where are coral reefs located?
Special conditions are needed for reef-building
corals. Coral reefs will only grow in waters
warmer than 18oC, and no deeper than
50metres. Therefore coral reefs are limited to
clear, shallow tropical seas found either side of
the equator. Corals may not develop properly in
waters that receive freshwater runoff or
sediments from rivers.
The global distribution of coral reefs
Grenavitar, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coral_reef_locations.jpg