Coral reefs are the lifeblood of the ocean, providing shelter and resources for countless marine animals. Discover 10 ...

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet ... High sedimentation rates can also bury or smother these sessile animals. While corals gain some nutrition from their symbiotic ...

Using collections, SCUBA, submersibles, and more we ask questions about marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, coral reefs, the deep sea, and the impact of climate change. The Smithsonian conducts a ...

members of almost every phyla of plants and animals live and die, adding particles and organic material to the sediment, and contributing to the efficient functioning of the coral reef ecosystem.

Tropical rainforests and coral reefs are both highly complex ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity. Coral reefs are often described as underwater rainforests. -- Maui Ocean Center photo ...

Assisted by other animals with calcium carbonate skeletons and also coralline algae, corals form complex, three-dimensional reefs. Coral reefs provide an important ecosystem for marine life, offering ...

Coral reefs provide an important ecosystem for life underwater ... protect areas such as mangrove forests and seagrass beds that act as nurseries for marine animals, as well as human coastal ...

An overabundance of any species can disrupt the ecosystem balance in a coral ... in mesopredatory reef fishes on a coral reef, Journal of Animal Ecology (2025). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.70024 ...