### formation | ridge | reef:

Coral reef
* Most coral reefs form in shallow tropical oceans
  - grow in water that is naturally low in nutrients
* Most coral reefs have biodiversity
  - fish diversity
  - high biodiversity
* Most coral reefs play major roles
* Some coral reefs are thousands of feet thick
  - very large
* abound in warm, shallow tropical waters.
* act as a barrier between land and sea, thus providing mainland and island protection
  - protective barrier
  - historical climate recorders
  - natural breakwaters
* are a different matter
  - dominant feature of Australia's warm tropical seascapes
* are a major economic engine for the tourist industry
  - loser in the process of deforestation
  - part of an amazing environment, home to a rich abundance of life
  - perfect example of marine hotspots because they have a high species richness
  - tourist attraction that boasts snorkeling, diving, fishing, and coral sand
  - valuable source of pharmaceutical compounds
  - vital link in the world food chain
  - affected by eutrophication in different aspects
  - alive
  - also a seriously threatened natural resource
* are also among the earth s most threatened ecosystems
  - most valuable ecosystems on earth
* are also very important to people
  - productive ecosystems
  - vital because they protect coastal communities from storms and wave damage
  - among nature's most spectacular and beautiful creations
* are among the most beautiful places in the world
  - biodiverse ecosystems on the planet
* are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth
  - rich ecosystems on earth
  - diverse and productive communities on Earth
  - diverse, species-rich ecosystems in the world
  - endangered ecosystems on Earth
  - fragile ecosystems on the planet
  - interesting and productive ocean settings
* are among the most productive and diverse of all natural ecosystems
  - productive, diverse and complex ecosystems in the world
  - spectacular and ancient ecosystems in the world
  - richest and most beautiful ecosystems on Earth
  - sea's most vital and enduring ecosystems
* are among the world's most fragile and endangered ecosystems
  - richest, most productive ecosystems
* are an example of an ecosystem already exhibiting signs of major damage
  - extremely diverse marine ecosystem
* are an important biological resource to the nation
  - resource for Hawaii
  - impressive ecosystem, one of the most diverse and productive on Earth
* are another example
  - good example of the interplay between chemical and biological processes
  - areas described by two of the following statements
* are as complex as tropical rain forests, and can be easily damaged
  - rich in biodiversity as tropical forests
  - bioherms or reefs made by corals and associated organisms
  - biologically significant
  - build up of old coral on top of each other
  - built by colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients
  - common
* are complex, enduring, magnificent
  - multi-story structures with holes and crevices shared by various creatures
  - tightly bonded ecosystems
  - considered to be ecosystems
  - created in shallow tropical waters by millions of tiny animals called corals
  - crucial to most marine ecosystems
  - culturally significant
  - diverse and productive ecosystems of great beauty and value to humans
  - ecologically and socio-economically very important
  - economically, culturally and aesthetically important to the Islands of Micronesia
  - especially vulnerable to damage by global warming
* are extremely important to sustaining an active and healthy aquatic life
* are found in tropical areas, where the waters are warm and clear
  - mostly in the tropics
  - near many islands in warm, shallow seas around the world
  - throughout the oceans, from deep, cold waters to shallow, tropical waters
  - geologically significant
  - groupedinto three main types
  - habitats of unparalleled biotic richness
* are home to about a million fish and other species
  - many kinds of fish which also in their brilliant colours
  - millions of species
  - more kinds of life than any other ocean environment
  - much marine wildlife
  - over twenty-five percent of all marine life
  - homes to thousands of different kinds of fish, sponges, algae, and mollusks
  - huge examples of photosynthetic animals
* are important because they provide support to all sizes and kinds of animals
  - breeding, feeding and nursery grounds for fish
  - for several reasons
  - to our future
* are in decline globally
  - particular danger
  - just one of many ocean habitats
  - large structures which take many forms depending on the mixture of coral types
  - like the rainforests of the sea, supporting many fish
  - limestone formations composed of tiny sea organisms and their remains
  - located in water
  - made up of genetically identical coral polyps
* are more diverse where disturbed by hurricanes
  - than just another creature in the ocean
  - multitrophic
  - no exception and they change due to natural and human factors
  - nurseries of the ocean
  - oases in the nutrient-poor deserts of the tropical seas
  - of particular concern
  - on eof the most colorful ecosystems on earth
  - one of the biological wonders of the world
* are one of the most ancient ecosystems on the planet
  - diverse and biologically productive ecosystems on earth
  - important marine communities in tropical and subtropical seas
  - popular aquatic biomes
* are one of the most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems on our planet
  - and biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet
* are one of the most spectacular and diverse ecosystems on earth
  - of nature's creations
  - spectacularly diverse ecosystems in the world
  - threatened ecosystems in the world
  - oldest continuous environments on Earth
  - part of a larger ecosystem that also includes mangroves and seagrass beds
* are perhaps the greatest collective enterprise in nature
  - most glorious of marine ecosystems
  - places where small fish live to eat and grow, and where large fish come to feed
  - plentiful and tropical fish abound
  - predominantly calcite
* are present due to accretion and growth of coral
  - on the bank s eastern and southeastern rim
  - probably one of the most diverse and important ecosystems on our planet
  - restricted to warm, shallow water
  - rich ecosystems that are home to thousands of plant and animal species
  - sensitive environments that require pristine coastal water quality
  - solid objects
* are some of the most biologically productive, complex and diverse ecosystems on Earth
  - complex and sensitive ecosystems on earth
  - diverse ecosystems in the world, equivalent to tropical forests
  - valuable and spectacular places on earth
  - oldest ecosystems on earth
  - such structures build by hermatypic corals and associated organisms
* are the accumulated remains of countless corals and other organisms
  - centerpiece of three sanctuaries
  - essential breath for a vast and still unknown marine life
  - habitat of thousands of species of invertebrates, vertebrates and algae
* are the largest natural structures in the world
  - organisms on earth
  - structures made by living organisms
* are the most biodiverse communities found in the subtidal environment
  - biologically divers aquatic life zones
  - colorful environments on earth
* are the most diverse and beautiful of all marine habitats
  - communities on the planet
  - of all marine ecosystems
  - productive marine habitat a
  - oldest complex natural communities or ecosystems existing on Earth
  - rain forests of the sea
  - rainforests of the sea, an incredible biodiversity reservoir
  - resident foraging grounds for juveniles, subadults and adults
  - tropical forests of the oceans
  - tightly woven ecosystems, with incredibly complex interlinkages
  - treasure chests for biotechnology products based on naturally occurring substances
  - truly one of the most beautiful biomes
* are under serious threat worldwide
  - severe pressure from a variety of threats
* are underwater ridges or mounds built of coral, coral sand, and limestone
  - rock outcrops covered by a thin layer of living coral polyps
  - unique among marine communities
  - useful to the environment and to people in a number of ways
  - valuable assets to local and national economies
* are very abundant in clear warm tropical waters of the world
  - beautiful and fragile
  - fragile colonies that can be damaged by human trespassing
  - picky about the temperature of water that they live in
  - vulnerable to destruction and degradation caused by human activities
  - well represented in marine protected areas
* buffer adjacent shorelines from wave action and the impact of storms.
* can develop in warm shallow oceans and support a variety of life
  - have different sizes, shapes, and colors
  - save human lives
* constitute underwater tropical worlds.
* contain more algal biomass than animal biomass
  - varieties of life than any other marine environment
  - rich biodiversity, providing homes and food for a myriad of organisms
* create rainbow patterns in the many blues of the sea.
* deliver ecosystem services to tourism, fisheries and coastline protection
  - and shoreline protection
* develop best in cooler waters with high primary productivity.
* dissipate wave energy, allowing mangroves and seagrass meadows to flourish.
* divide the Red Sea into channels of which only the central one is navigable.
* expand and land plants begin to colonize the barren continents.
* face a menagerie of anthropogenic threats to their survival
  - number of threats, both natural and human made
  - threat of extinction
* form in the a. neritic zone.
* fringe the shoreline.
* grow in offshore, clear waters near Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the Gulf.
* grow only in shallow water and grow faster in sunlight
  - water with enough light for photosynthesis to occur in the algae
* have a commercial value to humans
  - great amount of biodiversity
  - structure of fractal design
  - among the highest rates of nitrogen fixation of any natural community
  - both economic and ecological value
  - minuscule dinoflagellate algae living in their tissues
  - the greatest known diversity in the marine environment
* is used as a source of lime and for diminishing acidity in soil.
* like to grow just below the waterline so that they have the best access to the sunlight.
* line the inner and outer parts of the island.
* live in tropical waters.
* make up only five per cent of the area of the Great Barrier Reef.
* occur mainly as numerous patch reefs.
* play a significant role in the ecosystems where they thrive
  - an essential role in buffering the erosive forces of waves
* protect coastlines from storm damage and erosion
  - mangroves and seagrasses fromerosion during storms and strong wave action
  - nearby coastal areas
  - shores from violent wave action
* provide a barrier for coastal areas by breaking the waves of severe storms
  - first line of defense against hurricanes and other harsh storms
* provide a habitat for a diversity of living organisms
  - numerous other sea creatures
  - that results in a rich species diversity
  - protective barrier to coastal shoreline
  - sanctuary for many rare fish, invertebrates and mammels
  - an excellent example of the trophic web since they are a biodiversity hotspot
  - excellent snorkelling and diving
  - habitats for a large variety of organisms
  - homes for many sea animals
  - humankind with many benefits
  - many ecosystem services to humans as well, for free
  - people with food and major source of animal protein
  - shelter for nearly one quarter of all known marine species
  - very complex habitat and often have associated communities with high diversity
* represent the most complex aquatic ecosystems on earth.
* require clean, clear, nutrient-poor waters
  - water that is low in nutrients to grow and survive
* rival the tropical rainforests as the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.
* shape themselves according to climatic conditions.
* suffer from nearly every human activity, and the impacts are unseen by nearly all.
* support a booming tourist economy on the coasts they border
  - huge recreational diving and tourism industry
  - multitude of marine species and are highly sensitive to changing temperatures
  - tremendous array of plant and animal species
  - many symbiotic relationships
  - more species per unit area than any other marine ecosystem
  - thousands of species by providing food and protection
* supports one fourth of the marine biota.
* surround most of the coast, except the south
  - nearly all the islands
* take anywhere from several years to several decades to regenerate.
* tend to grow faster in clean water.
* thrive in sites with clear, shallow water and stable, warm temperatures.
+ Coral reef, Conservation: Biomes
  * Coral reefs are fragile ecosystems. Because corals need warm, sunlit water to live, they often grow close to the top of the water. Sadly, being so close to land makes them often be damaged by poisons and dirt that can come from boats and the land nearby. Dirt makes the water more cloudy, which makes the sunlight less. Poisons can bleach and kill corals. Also, they are hard for ships to see, but easy to hit, which makes ships often run into the coral, damaging both the boats and coral.