
Coral reef | Description, Geochemistry, Origins, & Threats | Britannica
Dec 26, 2025 · Coral reef, ridge or hummock formed in shallow ocean areas by algae and the calcareous skeletons of coral polyps and other coelenterates. A coral reef may grow into a …
Coral reef ecosystems - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Sep 25, 2025 · Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Coral polyps, the animals primarily responsible for building reefs, can take many forms: large reef building colonies, …
Coral Reef Biome: Location, Precipitation, Climate, Plants and Animals
Coral reef biomes are mostly located in shallow tropical regions of the Western Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. These locations happen to be ideal for growth, settlement, and survival of hard …
Coral reef - Wikipedia
Coral reef ecosystems contain distinct zones that host different kinds of habitats. Usually, three major zones are recognized: the fore reef, the reef crest, and the back reef (also called the reef lagoon).
Coral Reefs - Education
Nov 21, 2024 · Reefs provide a large fraction of Earth’s biodiversity —they have been called “the rainforests of the seas.” Scientists estimate that 25 percent of all marine species live in and around …
Coral Reef Biome
Examples of the coral reef biome are mainly found in shallow tropical portions of the Western Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. These are the places on Earth most ideally suited for the settlement, …
Coral reef biome habitat | Ask A Biologist
Jul 29, 2025 · Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the world’s oceans but are home to more than 25% of all marine life. Much like trees in a forest, corals provide homes and shelter to so many different …
Corals and Coral Reefs - Smithsonian Ocean
Coral reefs are the most diverse of all marine ecosystems. They teem with life, with perhaps one-quarter of all ocean species depending on reefs for food and shelter. This is a remarkable statistic when you …
Basic Information about Coral Reefs - US EPA
Feb 5, 2025 · Coral reefs provide habitat for a large variety of marine life, including various sponges, oysters, clams, crabs, sea stars, sea urchins, and many species of fish. Coral reefs are also linked …
Coral Reef Biome - Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation
A coral reef biome is a marine ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. These biomes are found in shallow, warm ocean waters and are known for their biodiversity, hosting a wide range of marine …