Coral Reefs
1. What makes coral reefs so important?
Answer:
Coral reefs offer possibilities for recreation, serve as a barrier against erosion and storm damage, and support local economies. They are also a source of fresh medications and food. More than 500 million people rely on reefs for safety, income, and food.
2. What defines a Coral Reef?
Answer:
Coral reefs are the massive seawater structures formed by the accumulation of tiny-bodied organisms known as coral.
3. Where are Coral Reefs found in India?
Answer:
The Gulf of Mannar, the Gulf of Kutch, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Lakshadweep Islands are the only places in India with significant reef formations. The other reefs are all fringing reefs, whereas the Lakshadweep reefs are atolls. The country’s central west coast has patchy coral in the intertidal zones.
4. What are the three main types of coral reefs?
Answer:
The three main types of coral reefs are Fringing, Barrier, and Atoll.
Coral Reefs: Types, Importance and Threats
Coral reef is an oceanic ecosystem that is made up of corals that construct reefs. Reefs are constructed by coral polyp colonies that are connected by calcium carbonate. Most coral reefs are composed of stony corals, whose polyps cluster. Coral belongs to the animal group Cnidaria’s class Anthozoa, which includes sea anemones and jellyfish. The majority of reefs thrive in warm, shallow, clear, bright, and turbulent water. In this article, we will look into the meaning, formation, types, and importance of Coral Reefs.