coral-reef
Limestone marine structure
A coral reef is a ridge of rock-like structures built up from the ocean floor by colonies of tiny marine animals called coral polyps.
These formations, found in warm shallow waters, support extraordinary biodiversity: The coral reef teemed with fish.
Coral reefs face threats from warming oceans and pollution.
Gilled aquatic vertebrate
- clownfishStriped reef fish, anemone symbiont
- parrotfishBeak-jawed coral-eating fish
- sea-turtleOcean-dwelling shelled reptile
- sharkCartilaginous marine predator
octopus · stingray · starfish · crab · lobster · shrimp · plankton · algae
Surface swimming with breathing tube
- scubaPortable underwater breathing gear
- underwaterBelow the surface
- maskFace-worn concealment
- finsSwimming appendages
Chemical color removal
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- degradationDecline in condition
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
overfishing · runoff · restoration · transplantation · resilience · monitoring · NOAA · threatened
Fleshy membrane projection
Pacific island collective
- navigationDetermining position and course
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
- subsistenceMinimal means of living
- AboriginalAustralia's native peoples
fish
Gilled aquatic vertebrate
- clownfishStriped reef fish, anemone symbiont
- parrotfishBeak-jawed coral-eating fish
- sea-turtleOcean-dwelling shelled reptile
shark · octopus · stingray · starfish · crab · lobster · shrimp · plankton · algae · seagrass
snorkeling
Surface swimming with breathing tube
- scubaPortable underwater breathing gear
- underwaterBelow the surface
- maskFace-worn concealment
fins · wetsuit · visibility · Maldives · Belize · Cozumel · Palau
bleaching
Chemical color removal
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- degradationDecline in condition
pollution · overfishing · runoff · restoration · transplantation · resilience · monitoring · NOAA · threatened
polyp
Fleshy membrane projection
Oceania
Pacific island collective
- navigationDetermining position and course
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
- subsistenceMinimal means of living
coral-reefkelp forest
Seaweed-dominated underwater ecosystem
open ocean · mangrove forest · deep-sea vent · deep sea · sandy bottom