Most importantly, the porous rock is inhabited by species of bacteria (decomposers) that live on the waste products and dead tissue of the other reef organisms - converting the wastes to basic chemical elements that either enter the atmosphere or are used by the plants that feed the animals.
(the plants; feed; the animals) (bacteria; live; L:on the waste products and dead tissue of the other reef organisms) (basic chemical elements; enter; the atmosphere) (basic chemical elements; are used; by the plants)
the plants bacteria basic chemical elements basic chemical elements
feed live enter are used
the animals
L:on the waste products and dead tissue of the other reef organisms
the atmosphere
by the plants