How do you explain coral reefs to kids?

A coral reef is made up of thousands of tiny animals called coral polyps. Some coral polyps are hard, like brain coral and Elkhorn coral, while other corals, like sea fans and carnation coral, are soft. These thousands of animals all live together in a small area.

What is the science behind coral reefs?

Corals are tiny animals that live in large communities made up of individual polyps that secrete a calcium carbonate substance that hardens and builds up to form the reef structure over time. The coral polyps live symbiotically with algae that provides them with their food. …

What are the 3 types of coral reefs?

The three main types of coral reefs are fringing, barrier, and atoll. Schools of colorful pennantfish, pyramid, and milletseed butterflyfish live on an atoll reef in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The most common type of reef is the fringing reef. This type of reef grows seaward directly from the shore.

How would you describe a coral reef?

Coral reefs are large underwater structures composed of the skeletons of colonial marine invertebrates called coral. Each individual coral is referred to as a polyp. Coral polyps live on the calcium carbonate exoskeletons of their ancestors, adding their own exoskeleton to the existing coral structure.

What is coral reef ks2?

A coral reef is a type of biotic reef developing in tropical waters. Coral reefs are found in all oceans of the world, except the Arctic Ocean, generally between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, because reef-building corals live in these waters.

What are the top 10 biggest reefs in the world?

Larger coral reefs, such as the Great Barrier Reef, are actually made up of many smaller reefs that are connected into a single ecosystem.

• Red Sea Coral Reef, Red Sea.
• Maldives-Chagos-Lakshadweep Atolls, Indian Ocean.
• Belize Barrier Reef, Belize.
• Andros Barrier Reef, Bahamas.
• Saya de Malha Banks, Indian Ocean.

How are scientists helping coral reefs?

Scientists are looking at breeding these resilient corals, which could be used to restore reefs. Other protections, such as preventing pollution and overfishing, are also key, Kleypas says. Still, all these efforts to help corals adapt to hotter temperatures won’t be enough if greenhouse gas emissions remain high.

What is coral reef made of?

A coral reef is made of thin layers of calcium carbonate Coral polyps form a living mat over a calcium carbonate skeleton. Stony corals (or scleractinians) are the corals primarily responsible for laying the foundations of, and building up, reef structures.

What percentage of marine species live in coral reefs?

Although it is a relatively small biome, around 25% of the known marine species live in coral reefs. What is a coral reef? At first glance, you may think that coral reefs are made up of rocks, but they are actually live organisms. These organisms are tiny little animals called polyps.

What are the different types of coral reefs?

Types of Coral Reefs. There are three main types of coral reefs: Fringe reef – Fringe reefs grow close to the shore line. It can be attached to the shore or there may be a narrow strip of water called a lagoon or channel between the land and the coral reef.

What conditions are needed for coral reefs to form?

Coral reefs need warm, shallow water to form. They form close to the equator near coastlines and around islands throughout the world. A significant portion of the world’s coral reefs are located in Southeast Asia and near Australia. The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef located off of Queensland, Australia.

What are the different zones of the reef?

Each zone is inhabited by different kinds of corals, fish, and ocean life. Shore or inner reef zone – This area is between the crest and the shoreline. Crest reef zone – This is highest point of the reef and where the waves break over the reef. Fore or outer reef zone – As the reef wall falls off, the waters get calmer.