Coral Reefs

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Coral Reefs

• Ben Schnier
• Kristen Gerpe

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What are Coral Reefs?

• Rigid structures that stand above the sea floor
• Home to many living organisms
• Constructed of material of biological origin

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Structures of Coral Reefs

• Primary Framework Reefs Carbonate byproduct
  material from animals living around the reefs
  build up on an existing skeletal foundation,
  typically limestone
• Secondary Framework Reefs Biological material
  floats in a loose matrix of sediment

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Basic Types of Coral Reefs

• Barrier Reefs Separated from the shoreline by
  moderately deep water known as lagoon
• Fringing Reefs Adjacent to shore line
• Atolls Circular Reefs with a lagoon in the center

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Other Types of Coral Reefs

• Shelf Reefs Smaller reefs occurring within the
  lagoon of an atoll or barrier reef
• Caribbean Reef Flats Flat reefs lacking a
  central crest
• Forereef Downward sloping reef

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Types of Coral

• Constructors provide the building blocks of the
  reef
• Bafflers affect accretion by interrupting the
  flow of water, thereby encouraging sedimentation
• Destroyers break down the primary framework in
  various ways
• Dwellers passive inhabitants that contribute to
  the ecologic diversity of the reef

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Why are Coral Reefs Important

• Impact on near shore ecology
• Fishery Center
• Recreation/ Tourism
• Provide information about marine evolution