Oceanography
How Does a Coral Reef Ecosystem Work?
A coral reef ecosystem is a network of corals, algae, fishes, invertebrates, microbes and physical processes that recycle energy and nutrients in nutrient-poor tropical…
coral reefs
Browse ScienceInfo articles and explainers related to coral reefs.
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Articles about coral reefs
4 published items.
Oceanography
Why Are Coral Reefs Important?
Coral reefs matter because their physical structure and biological productivity support diverse marine communities and provide services to people. Their value is ecologi…
Oceanography
What Is Coral Bleaching?
Coral bleaching happens when stressed corals lose or expel much of the symbiotic algae living in their tissues. Because those algae provide color and a major share of th…
Oceanography
What Are Coral Reefs and How Do They Form?
Coral reefs are biological structures built mainly by colonies of tiny coral animals that secrete calcium carbonate skeletons. Over many generations, those skeletons acc…