why are coral reefs fragile
Coral reefs are particularly fragile ecosystems, partly due to their sensitivity to water temperature. When corals are physiologically stressed-as is the case when water temperatures are elevated-they may lose much of the their symbiotic algae, an event known as bleaching..oral Reefs: the Tropical Rainforests of the Sea Coral reefs are often called the tropical rainforests of the sea for their astounding richness of life.