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  2. Coral reef - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reef

    A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. [1] Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps cluster in groups. Coral belongs to the class Anthozoa in the animal phylum Cnidaria, which includes sea anemones and ...

  3. Commensalism - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commensalism

    Commensalism is a long-term biological interaction in which members of one species gain benefits while those of the other species neither benefit nor are harmed. [1] This is in contrast with mutualism , in which both organisms benefit from each other; amensalism , where one is harmed while the other is unaffected; and parasitism , where one is ...

  4. The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Structure_and...

    Canton Island typifies the isolated coral atolls dotting the Pacific Ocean. The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs, Being the first part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle, under the command of Capt. Fitzroy, R.N. during the years 1832 to 1836, was published in 1842 as Charles Darwin's first monograph, and set out his theory of the formation of coral reefs and atolls.

  5. Fringing reef - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fringing_reef

    Aerial view of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, the largest fringing coral reef in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fringing reefs are located near shore in the tropics in many areas and are the most common reef type. Coral reefs are found in the tropics in which the water is between 18 and 30 °C (64 and 86 °F). [6]

  6. Coralline algae - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coralline_algae

    Coralline algae are especially important in reef construction, as they lay down calcium carbonate as calcite. Although they contribute considerable bulk to the calcium carbonate structure of coral reefs, their more important role in most areas of the reef, is in acting as the cement which binds the reef materials into a sturdy structure. [38]

  7. Aquatic ecosystem - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquatic_ecosystem

    Coral reefs form complex marine ecosystems with tremendous biodiversity. Marine ecosystems are the largest of Earth 's aquatic ecosystems and exist in waters that have a high salt content. These systems contrast with freshwater ecosystems , which have a lower salt content.

  8. Marine habitat - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_habitat

    A reef is a ridge or shoal of rock, coral or similar relatively stable material, lying beneath the surface of a natural body of water. [55] Many reefs result from natural, abiotic processes but there are also reefs such as the coral reefs of tropical waters formed by biotic processes dominated by corals and coralline algae.

  9. Coral reefs of Solomon Islands - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reefs_of_Solomon_Islands

    Sikaiana (formerly called the Stewart Islands) is a small atoll 212 kilometres (132 miles) northeast of Malaita is almost 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) in length and its lagoon, known as Te Moana, is totally enclosed by the coral reef. Sikaiana is an example of a coral atoll formed from an oceanic volcano, with a coral reef growing around the shore ...