The coral reefs are the most diverse and varied place on Earth. People mostly think it is a plant, but essentially, it is an animal! It is the species that mainly lives in warm and shallow waters. It creates an outstanding atmosphere which is colorful. For the majority of marine species, like invertebrates, and Button Scoly, coral is a must-have for those creatures. The most interesting fact about corals is that they are in a symbiotic relationship with all other living organisms that they harbor. Here are ten interesting facts about coral reefs and their wonderful inhabitants.
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Corals Are Living Organisms
The most common myth is that corals are plants, which they’re not; they’re living animals. A coral reef actually is made of tiny little polyps, which create a hard skeleton by secreting calcium carbonate. Reefs serve as a source of important habitat for marine species where they find food and shelter.
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Relationship with Algae
The algae perform photosynthesis through which corals consume the produced food. For this, they are given an un-exposed area for shelter in corals. It is such an amalgamation, which has much significance in life at the reef. Even Button Scoly corals basically survive with this algal mixture and provide a healthy ambience.
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Coral Reefs Are Old
The earth has had coral reefs for millions of years. Other species also change and adapt to the new settings within the ocean. Some are older than 20 million years, such as the Great Barrier Reef. Aging these reefs allow them the time to support diversifying marine life, even coloring button scoly corals.
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Corals Glow
Some species of coral are fluorescent and will glow with an odd, otherworldly light when the conditions are right. Many species of coral have evolved bioluminescence to serve different purposes, from attracting prey to interacting with other living organisms. Fire Shrimp, which are typically found in the same habitats as these bioluminescent corals, enjoy the advantages such glowing corals provide them: more food available and more cover.
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Corals Provide Critical Habitat for Marine Life
Because of this high biodiversity, coral reefs are termed the “rainforests of the sea.” Almost every marine species relies on a coral reef for food, a shelter, and breeding grounds. Some of the species to be found in this ecosystem include the Fire Shrimp and many invertebrates cleaning the corals, ensuring equilibrium in the environment.
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Extremely sensitive to water conditions
Even the slightest change in temperature or pH of water affects coral reefs. The phenomenon of coral bleaching is one situation wherein the algae living inside corals are flushed out due to stress. The flushed-out algae make the corals look white, and they lose most of their nutritional value. The conditions need to be kept right in order to support healthy corals like Button Scoly.
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Corals Are Ocean Builders
They are the producers of base for most oceanic ecosystems. Corals, through their ability to secrete calcium carbonate, form a hard structure that will be provided with space for fish and invertebrates to accommodate inside them. Shrimp is one of the dwelling creatures in the coral reefs in charge of keeping the corals in good condition, cleaning up the algae, and debris.
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Coral Reefs Highly Diverse
Though occupying about 1% of the oceanic space, coral reefs hold more than 25% of marine species; varieties of fish, shellfish, and Button Scoly corals that comprise these beautiful, intricate colors. These are among the most biodiverse habitats found on Earth.
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Coral Can Regrow And Breed
Corals can grow back from small pieces that break off. These small pieces establish new colonies. This regenerative ability helps in the restoration of coral reefs after any damage, including storms and human activities. Healthy populations of Button Scoly assist in the restoration and growth of coral reefs, supporting life in the ocean.
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Threat For Coral Reefs
It damages the reefs due to climate change, overfishing, pollution, and the list goes on. So far, it already hurts them by rising water temperature and increasing ocean acidification. Preservation of corals like the Button Scoly species which rely on these corals like the Fire Shrimp would be the key in this endeavor.