Marine Ecology Coral reefs. Global distribution of coral reefs.
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Transcript of L.I Exploring coral reefs › wp-content › uploads › ... · Coral reefs grow in shallow water...
Coral reefs are colourful habitats
There are several
different types of coral
Many different animals live on coral reefs
Different corals have different shapes - lumpy, branching, flat
Each coral consists of a chalky skeleton
The polyps are like small sea-anemones, joined together to cover the skeleton
The coral skeleton is built by small animals called polyps
The coral skeleton has a ridged or pitted surface The individual coral polyps
are joined together
Mouth Tentacle
STEP
Reefs can grow to be very large
Coral reefs grow in shallow water along the coast and around islands
Here, the coral reef continues to grow, forming a ring around the island
In some places, the level of the sea has risen
Top of the original island - now nearly below sea level
Shallow, sandy area between the reef and
the island
New coral islands form on top of the reef
Reef grows upwards as sea level rises
STEP
There are many more types of animals in coral reefs than in the open ocean
nearby
Coral reefs are important habitats for many different types of animal
They also contain plant cells in their bodies. This provides them with another
source of food
The coral animals - polyps - feed on tiny food particles floating in
the water
Crown-of-thorns starfish sometimes eat enough coral
to kill parts of a reef
Parrot fish have strong teeth to bite
off coral
The shape and colour of fishes are linked to their way of life
Features of an animal which make it fit for its lifestyle are called
adaptations
You have learnt that -
Coral reefs are built by small animals called polyps
Reefs are found in shallow tropical seas
You have learnt that -
Coral reefs grow in rings around islands
Reefs are home to many different types of animal