coral reefs
Polyp-built limestone ecosystems
Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems built from the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral polyps, typically found in warm, shallow tropical waters.
They support extraordinary biodiversity—often called the rainforests of the sea.
Reefs form over thousands of years as colonies grow atop the remains of previous generations.
The coral reefs off Australia's coast attract divers from around the world.
- mangrovesSalt-water coastal trees
- snorkelingSurface swimming with breathing tube
- dive sitePlace for underwater exploration
- lagoonSheltered coastal shallows
- polypsFixed aquatic invertebrates
parrotfish · algae · atolls · spawning · bleaching · climate change · anthozoa · endemic species · underwater world · sea turtles · clownfish · Finding Nemo · sea anemone · crab · scuba diving · tentacles · shallow · ecosystem
- oceansAtlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Southern Ocean
- Nature Documentariesdocumentaries, shark week, wildlife rescue, marine life, big cats
- wildlife habitatswildlife refuge, breeding grounds, nesting sites, forests, game reserve
- marine biologymarine life, sea creatures, ocean life, sea life, plankton
- ocean scienceoceanography, marine biology, marine ecosystems, marine science, marine research
- Andaman SeaPhuket, island hopping
coral reefskelp forests
Dense underwater seaweed ecosystems
polar seas · hydrothermal vents · open ocean · Antarctic waters · deep sea
coral reefsdeserts
Abandons or barren lands
tundra · polar ice caps · arid landscapes · rainforests · grasslands