10 Amazing Facts About Coral Reefs: The “Rainforests of The Sea”

The underwater world is an incredible place...

If you have ever spent time snorkeling or scuba diving, like me, you know first hand how fascinating and unreal the underwater world may seem. And if you are following the news about current environmental issues, you know about the threat climate change poses to marine ecosystems like coral reefs. So here are 10 interesting facts about coral reefs that you may not know!

General Facts About Coral Reefs

1. Coral is a living animal

Although many corals look like plants, they are actually animals. Coral is closely related to jellyfish and anemones (like Nemo’s home!)

2. There are three different types of coral reefs

The three types include fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and coral atolls.

Fringing reefs are the most common type of coral reef. They grow directly from land, creating a border along the shore. These reefs consist of two parts: the reef flat (closest to shore) and reef slope (facing open ocean). Most marine life lives along the slope.

Barrier reefs are also found near the shore. They are different from fringing reefs because

they are separate from land. They get their name because they create a barrier between the coast and the open ocean. We all know one famous barrier reef - the Great Barrier Reef!

Atolls are ring shaped reefs located in the open ocean. They get their shape because they were once volcanic islands that eventually sunk into the ocean.

3. Coral reefs grow slowly

Different species of coral grow at different rates depending on water temperature, salinity, disturbance, and food. But overall, they are not the fastest growing sea animal. Larger coral reefs grow the slowest, adding less than an inch per year to their length.

4. Coral needs sunlight to grow

Because coral needs sunlight, they are often mistaken for plants, but they are in fact animals that rely on photosynthesis! Coral usually lives less than 90 feet from the surface because it depends on sunlight, and it is harder to reach light at farther depths. Coral thrives in shallow tropical and subtropical waters.

5. Coral can live for thousands of years

In the right conditions, coral reefs can live forever. Large reefs, like the Great Barrier Reef, are between 5,000 and 10,000 years old.

The Benefits of Coral Reefs

6. Coral reefs are incredibly biodiverse

Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean but are home to almost 25% of all known marine species! This is why the threat of climate change is such a pressing issue when it comes to coral reefs. If coral reefs die, so many marine species will lose their home and won’t be able to survive on their own.

7. Coral reefs can help create medications

Scientists have discovered that parts of a coral reef can be used to create medications. According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, coral reefs are emerging as the “medicine cabinets of the 21st century.” Coral is used to treat cancer, arthritis, bacterial infections, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, viruses, and many other diseases.

Facts About Coral Reefs Around the World

8. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is so large that it can be seen from outer space! The reef system contains more than 2,900 individual reefs and 1,050 islands. It is over 1,400 miles long and takes up a 133,000 square mile area.

9. The Florida Coral Reef system is the third largest barrier reef The Florida Reef extends from St. Lucie (north of Miami) to the Dry Tortugas National Park (west of the Florida Keys.) Florida’s reefs have been in a state of decline for the past 40 years.

Facts About Coral Reefs & Climate Change

10. Coral reef systems are supposed to be colorful, not white

Naturally, coral reefs are colorful because of the algae that grows on them. If you ever see a coral reef that appears white, it has undergone a process known as coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is the result of warmer water temperatures caused by climate change. The first widespread incident of coral bleaching happened in 1998, when an estimated 16% of coral reefs died. In recent years, mass coral bleaching has become a recurring event, damaging and killing over 50% of coral reefs.

After learning how coral reefs are truly incredible, you’re probably wondering, “how can I help protect them?” Great question, I’m glad you asked! Check out my next blog post on “15 Simple Things You Can Do To Protect Coral Reefs.”

Photos courtesy of Unsplash and Flickr.