As animals eat the plants and other animals, energy is passed through the food chain. Reef building corals work together with microscopic algae, called zooxanthellae, that live in their tissue. The zooxanthellae provide oxygen and food to the coral through photosynthesis. read more
By trapping suspended sediments and slowing water movement these plants also benefit nearby coral reefs by reducing sediment loads in the water. Seagrasses Seagrass meadows are an important coral reef habitat-type. Courtesy NOAA. Seagrasses are most often found in shallow, sheltered marine or estuarine waters. read more
Coral may appear to be planted firmly, for life, where they are, but they're technically animals, not plants. They do, however, have a very close relationship with the flora around them. In fact, the plants that live in the coral reefs are the real MVPs – they provide all the energy and nutrients needed to keep the reef looking like an underwater dreamscape. read more
Some examples of plants that live in a coral reef are algae, zooaxenthella, sea grasses, othella, turtle grass, shoal grass, and manatee grass. read more