1. CORALS

2. What are corals?
Corals are marine invertebrates usually consisting of colonies of many identical individual polyps. They extract calcium carbonate from the seawater to create a hard, durable endoskeleton. Other polyps build up their own endoskeleton on their ancestor’s one until it accumulates and become coral reefs. Coral polyps thrive best where the water is warm and rich in oxygen. The water must be shallow so that the polyps can benefit from the effects of sunlight.

3. Where can you find them?
Corals are usually found in tropical oceans near the equator as they require sunlight for growth. The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The second largest can be found off the coast of Belize.

4. Benefits of Coral Reefs
1)They protect the coastline from the action of waves as they lessen the force.
2)Coral Reefs provide shelters and habitats for many organisms.
3)They help with nutrient recycling.
4)They provide money for a country economy from tourism.
5)They provide natural resources such as food and drugs.
6) Coral Reefs are sources of water purification, the creation of soil and the breakdown of pollutants.

5. Threats to Coral Reefs
Physical damage from coastal development, dredging, quarrying, destructive fish practices and gear, boat anchors and groundings and recreational misuse(touching or removing). Pollution from land can hamper the growth and reproduction of corals and cause diseases. Global Warming causes water to heat up and makes the water unideal for the growth of corals.

6. Strategies to protect coral reefs
1)Be a responsible tourist and avoid striking corals. Don’t litter as pollution can affect corals. 2)Plant trees to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air and to prevent global warming. 3)Educate the public about the importance of coral reefs.

7. THE END