Coral reefs are animal organisms, not plants. They consist of polyps surrounded by a hard exoskeleton.
There are different types of coral reefs: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, platform reefs, and atolls.
Corals are one of the slowest growing creatures, with an average growth of 1 centimeter per year.
Coral reefs can only grow up to a certain water depth due to their specific environmental requirements.
Coral reefs support millions of species, creating a diverse and vibrant marine ecosystem.
The colorful appearance of coral reefs is due to the algae (zooxanthellae) that live within them.
Strong currents are beneficial for coral reef growth as they provide cool water circulation and a source of nutrients.
The location of coral reefs gave rise to Darwin's Paradox, where they thrive in nutrient-poor tropical regions by efficiently recycling nutrients within the ecosystem.
Coral reefs help filter and improve seawater quality, benefiting the local ecology.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and can be seen from outer space.