Coral Reef Facts

Here are a few fast facts about coral reefs and coral reef formations in the planet:

• Coral reefs are found in shallow, tropical water where there is little to no nutrients in the water. High nutrient levels encourage the growth of algae which aren't compatible with coral reef formation.


• Contrary to uninformed belief, coral reefs are actually animals and not plants. Although they may look like odd shaped shrubs in the middle of the ocean, coral reefs are actually made of tiny organisms called coral polyps which are naturally classified as belonging to the Animal Kingdom.


• 109 countries have coral reefs. Among these are Kiribati, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, and Papua New Guinea.


• The thousands and thousands of coral species in the world can be divided into two: hard corals and soft corals.


• The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral formation in the planet. It is located in Queensland, Australia. It is said that the Great Barrier Reef can be seen even in outer space.


• Coral reefs contain the largest number ratio of biodiversity in an ecosystem. That is, they have 30 of 34 animal phylum present.


• The highest level of biodiveristy in the world can be found in the surrounding waters of the Philippines.


• People can effectively dispose of unwanted human garbage by turning them into artificial reefs. Artificial reefs are made so that algae can have a place to hard place to grow and attach themselves.