Coral reefs
Coral reefs consist of tiny little animals or polyps. These animals live in large colonies. Deep water corals and Shallow water corals are the two major types of coral. Many of the Deep water corals do not form reefs, because they cannot form a stony skeleton. The corals that do form reefs usually live in shallow tropical waters 'close' to the equator where enough sunlight can reach the reef.
The size and shapes of coral reefs depends of the species of coral on the reef. The reef structures are created as coral polyps form their skeleton of Calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
The Deep water corals and coral reefs in shallower waters are some of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. Millions of fish, invertebrates are living amongst the corals and polyps and still the coral reefs on earth only cover less than one per cent of our earth's surface.
Reefs at risk
Over the past decades coral reefs have declined due to human and natural causes. The reefs have not only cultural importance, but also ecological and economical importance. There are a lot of reefs around the world, but the reefs in Australia and south east Asia are most at risk. In order to keep the reefs healthy conservation and research efforts are highly critical.
