Why are coral reefs considered a complex ecosystem?

Reef-building corals (so-called "hard corals", or scleractinian corals) build up a complex three-dimensional habitat, as do trees and other plants in a forest. As in a forest, the corals support many other forms of life, both directly (providing habitat or food for other organisms) and indirectly (providing prey for predators). read more

Coral reefs are considered to be the most diverse and complex marine ecosystem on Earth. There are thousands of coral species exist in oceans worldwide. As they grow, reefs provide structural habitats for hundreds to thousands of different organisms. read more

The health, abundance and diversity of the organisms that make up a coral reef is directly linked to the surrounding terrestrial and marine environments. Mangrove forests and seagrass beds are two of the most important facets of the greater coral reef ecosystem. read more

Millions of people around the world depend on coral reefs for food, protection and employment. These figures are even more impressive than the reefs cover less than one percent of the earth’s surface. According to one estimate, the total annual earnings of coral reefs in the world is $29, 8 billion. read more