Gabe and Karl Coral reef

1. Gabe and Karl Coral reef

2. Coral reefs • silica. Most of these organisms are colonial, and the slow process of precipitation moves the living surface layer of the reef upward and seaward. • The reef is topographically complex. Much like a rain forest, it has many strata and areas of strong shade, cast by the over towering coral colonies. Because of the complexity, thousands of species of fish and invertebrates live in association with reefs, which are by far our richest marine habitats. In Caribbean reefs, for example, several hundred species of colonial invertebrates can be found living on the undersides of platy corals. It is not unusual for a reef to have several hundred species of snails, sixty species of corals, and several hundred species of fish. Of all ocean habitats, reefs seem to have the greatest developmf complex symbiotic associations.

3. About Coral Reefs • Coralreefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients Coral reefs grow less than 3 centimeters each year. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef systemcomposed of over 2,900 miles long. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space

4. Animals in a coral reef Coral reefs are home to an abundant variety of living creatures—fish, turtles, sharks, eels, crabs, shrimps, urchins, sponges, and algae to name a few. In the Pacific islands, coral reefs have some of the highest biodiversity in the world. For example, Guam hosts over 3,500 species of plants and animals, including 200 different types of corals. That is an amazing number of organisms!

5.  Fun facts  • Coral reefs are formed by large colonies of ant-sized organisms called corals • Coral reefs are found in warm tropical regions of the globe • Coral reefs grow less than 3 centimeters each year • Coral reefs have existed for more then 200 million years • 25% of marine life lives in coral reefs • Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor • Coral reefs contain some of the largest diversity of life in the world • They are usually found in 150 feet or less because they need to be able to reach the sun for nutrients • Coral reefs eat plankton and other small organisms

6. The great barrier • The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef systemcomposed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometers (1,600 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. • The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space. Fishing on the reef is controlled by the Queensland Government; the industry rakes in around 624 million pounds annually.

7. Credits • http://www.ask.com/question/what-is-the-biggest-coral-reef • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Barrier_Reef • http://www.google.com/search?q=google&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=L3qTUqWwLcfakQfWiIHQCQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=852#q=coral+reef&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&safe=active&tbm=isch • http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/coralreef.html • http://www.google.com/search?q=coral+reef+fun+facts&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz=&safe=active