corals
Living ocean structures
Corals are marine invertebrates that build hard skeletons, forming reefs in tropical waters.
A single coral is one such organism or a piece of its skeleton, often used decoratively.
Coral also names the pinkish-orange color of these skeletons: coral lipstick, a coral dress.
Coral reefs support extraordinary biodiversity and face threats from warming oceans.
Fixed aquatic invertebrates
- cnidariaStinging aquatic animal phylum
- tentaclesFlexible grasping appendages
- colonialOf occupied territories
- sessileAttached at base
invertebrates · stony · soft · staghorn · elkhorn
Primitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- coexistenceSimultaneous presence together
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
nutrition · clownfish · anemone · commensalism · partnership
Ring-shaped reef island
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- lagoonSheltered coastal shallows
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
bleaching · tropical · underwater · snorkeling · scuba · conservation · currents · fringing
Pale red hue
- orangeCitrus with segments
- redPrimary color, warm
- vibrantFull of life, intensity
- fluorescentEmitting light when energized
pigmented · iridescent · luminous · brilliant · ornamental
Element twenty, builds bones
- aragoniteCalcium carbonate crystal form
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- carbonateAdd dissolved gas
deposits · exoskeleton · mineralization · fossilization · fossil · ancient · petrified · rugose
Chemical color removal
- acidificationIncrease in hydrogen ions
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
sedimentation · runoff · disease · degradation · endangered · dying · whitening · restoration
polyps
Fixed aquatic invertebrates
algae
Primitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- coexistenceSimultaneous presence together
interdependence · nutrition · clownfish · anemone · commensalism · partnership
atoll
Ring-shaped reef island
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- lagoonSheltered coastal shallows
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
biodiversity · bleaching · tropical · underwater · snorkeling · scuba · conservation · currents · fringing · patch
pink
Pale red hue
fluorescent · pigmented · iridescent · luminous · brilliant · ornamental
calcium
Element twenty, builds bones
- aragoniteCalcium carbonate crystal form
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
carbonate · deposits · exoskeleton · mineralization · fossilization · fossil · ancient · petrified · rugose · tabulate
bleaching
Chemical color removal
- acidificationIncrease in hydrogen ions
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
overfishing · sedimentation · runoff · disease · degradation · endangered · dying · whitening · restoration · resilience
- life formsorganisms, organism, lifeforms, animal, creatures
- fossilsdinosaur bones, ammonite, amber, ammonites, fossils
- Cladesmammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects
- coral reefsreef, polyp, polyps, lagoon, barrier reefs
- cnidarianssea anemone, moon jelly, jellyfish, anemones, anemone
- simple animalssponge, sponges, hydra, jellyfish, sea anemone
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- coral islandsLand formed by reef organisms
- coral snakeVenomous striped serpent
- coral reef protectionConserving colonial marine habitats
- brain coralRidged colonial sea animal
- coral bleachingStress-induced reef discoloration