Coral and Coral Reefs

Corals are animals belonging to the phylum Coelenterata (Cnidaria). These corals secrete an exoskeleton formed of calcium carbonate, which protects the soft body. Generally this exoskeleton is called coral. The corals in general have diverse shapes and sizes, but majority are colonial with very small polyps.Coral colonies are most abundant in tropical seas, through some occur in arctic and temperate seas and most of them flourish at a temperature above 22⁰ C.

Examples: Fungia, Favia and Madrepora

Two special corals:-black corals (Antipathes) and the precious red corals (Corallium) develop based calcium based skeleton. They build skeleton with much different crystal geometrics. The unique mineral formed by these corals makes them prized for jewellery making. These corals are endangered due to discriminate collecting by divers.

Corals grow very slowly. The dense solid corals which build reefs grow less than one to two cms each year. When these organisms die their skeleton forms extensive mounds of lime in the sea. These are called coral reefs.

A coral reef is a complex living community in which reef building corals create a physical environment where many other plants and animals thrive. A coral reef takes thousands of years to form. One pound of coral may contain over 37,000 polyp skeletons. Coral reefs are in inhabited by a number of sponges, sea anemones, sea urchins,starfishes, crabs, bivalves etc. The other components in the formation of coral reefs are Tubipora, Millepora, Heliopora, Gorgonians, Alcyonaria, Foraminifera, coralline algae and branching algae.

There are general types of reefs can be recognized on the basis of their structure and underlying substratum. They are of three types :

1. Fringing Reefs
2. Barrier Reefs
3. Atoll Reefs

They are also known as the shore reefs and built from the sea bottom and project seaward directly from the shore.They are most common type of reef throughout the world. Abundant in East Indies. The zones of the sea between the shore and reef is very shallow. The seaward edge of the reef platform is called reef edge, where the most active coral growth is observed.

The barrier reefs are similar to fringing reefs, but they are situated in the sea about 1 to 15 km away from shore.The zone of the sea between the shore and reef is very deep and hence navigable. The great barrier reef of Australia is the longest in the world: streching on the north east cost of Australia, is 1200 miles long, 20 to70 miles wide and situiated nearly 90 miles away from the shore. Another relatively long barrier reef is located in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Belize between Mexico and Guatemala.

The barrier reef consists of same parts as the fringing reef, but the place of inner flat is taken by the lagoon flat.The latter has a thin covering of sand and shows an extraordinary luxuriant coral growth.

It is also known as coral island or lagoon island, is a circular or horseshoe shaped reef enclosing a lagoon of water which may be small or large up to 50 miles across.

Over 300 atolls are present in the Indo-Pacific, but only 10 are found in the Western Atlantic.Bermuda of Atlantic, Aldabra in the indian Ocean, Lakshadeep islands are examples.

The coral reef is a balanced system where all things have their own special place and function.The coral reef ecosystem maintain the fertility of the surrounding waters by providing waste materials and nutrients. The abundant,unique and colorful animal life it supports contribute a treasure house of biological wealth.

Reefs are important source of seafood. The reef offers shelter and feeding grounds to many types of fishes and other animals. Reef act as barriers which protests our beaches and shorelines from powerful ocean waves and currents.