10 Facts about Coral Reefs

Thursday, March 17th 2016. | Environment


Let’s discuss facts about coral reefs in the below post. The stony corals build most types of coral reefs. The corals secrete calcium carbonate to hold together the coral reefs. Cnidariaare is a group of animals which includes jellyfish, sea anemones and polyps. The coral polyps are protected and supported due to the secretion of the hard carbonate exoskeletons. Get other interesting facts about coral reefs below:

Facts about Coral Reefs 1: the best places for coral reefs

The coral reefs will choose the agitated, shallow and warm water to live. They like the spot for they will get more sunlight than in the deep water.

Facts about Coral Reefs 2: the nickname

Coral reef is often nicknamed as the rainforest of the sea. There are many marine species which live around the coral reef such as the worms, fish, echinoderm, crustaceans, cnidarians, sponges, mollusks and tunicates.

Coral Reef Pic

Coral Reef Pic

Facts about Coral Reefs 3: the habitat of coral reefs

The coral reefs are abundant around the shallow waters. However, you can also spot few of them living in the cold water or even deep waters.

Facts about Coral Reefs 4: the importance of coral reefs

The shoreline protection, fisheries and tourism are some important functions that the coral reefs have. They are considered as the value asset for all people in the world. It is reported that the coral reefs are valued around US$29.8 to 375 billion.

Facts about Coral Reefs

Facts about Coral Reefs

Facts about Coral Reefs 5: the fragility

Coral reef is fragile. The population of coral reefs is always subject to damage because of the oceanic acidification, climate change, unstable water temperature, cyanide fishing, sunscreen use, water pollution, and blast fishing. Get facts about Caribbean sea here.

Facts about Coral Reefs 6: the age of the coral reefs

The people estimate that the age of coral reefs is less than 10,000 years old because most of them were formed after the last glacial period.

Coral Reef

Coral Reef

Facts about Coral Reefs 7: the main types of reefs

There are three types of reefs that you have to learn. Those are the atoll reef, fringing reef and barrier reef. Other types of reefs are Apron reef, Bank reef, Ribbon reef, Patch reef, Cays and guyot.

Facts about Coral Reefs 8: the zones of coral reefs

Can you mention the primary zones of coral reefs? Those include the back reef, reef crest and fore reef.

Coral Reef Beauty

Coral Reef Beauty

Facts about Coral Reefs 9: Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef is considered as one of the famous coral reefs in the world. It is located in Australia. It is the largest one in the world with 900 islands and 2,900 individual reefs. Get facts about butterfly fish here.

Facts about Coral Reefs 10: Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System

Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System spans around 620 miles. It is the second largest reef in the world.

Coral Reef Image

Coral Reef Image

Are you interested reading facts about coral reefs?


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