hey are best developed in temperatures from about twenty-three to twenty-five degrees Celsius, coral reefs can be found in temperatures as low as eighteen degrees Celsius. Corals are restricted to seawater with a salinity ranging from thirty to forty parts per thousand. They also require a concentrated amount of calcium carbonate to assist in the process of forming their skeleton. The shape, size and structure of the coral are directly related to their location in the ocean, and depth. Coral located near the surface tend to be flexible in order to flex and sway with the wave action and tidal currents. The water currents and wind can also play an important role in the development of coral reefs. The water currents shape and mold the coral, and the wind both affects the currents and shapes the coral when it rises above the water to form small islands called cays. Because of their sensitivity, almost any adverse changes to the environment can result in death. For example, a reef on Stone Island, near Australia, was killed to a depth of three meters below mean tide level after a week of hurricane type rains swept through the region.Many different types of animals find shelter in coral reefs: fish, crustaceans, and sponges, not to mention the corals themselves. The many nooks and crevices in the reefs provide a perfect hiding place for almost all types of sea creatures. Sponges, for instance, attach themselves to the coral for protection from predators. On the other hand, a moray eel will take residence in one of the holes in the reef to lie in wait for prey. Some of the other animals that live in coral reefs include giant clams, crabs, Christmas tree worms, feather duster worms, shrimp, and various plants. Coral reefs are huge, living, ecosystems that provide food and shelter to many harboring creatures. Not only does this symbiotic relationship orchestrate harmony in the ocean, but corals also provide land animals with a...
