Science Common Sense

418 - How do coral reefs support marine biodiversity?

Coral reefs are like underwater cities that support a lot of marine life. They do this in a few ways:

1. Food and Shelter: Coral reefs provide food and shelter for many animals, like fish, sea turtles, and starfish. The coral itself is home to tiny animals called zooxanthellae that produce food through photosynthesis, which the coral uses to grow.

2. Diverse Habitat: Coral reefs have many different environments, like coral, seaweed, and sandy areas. This diversity creates a lot of different homes for different animals, which means many different species can live together.

3. Nursery Grounds: Coral reefs protect and raise young animals, like fish and lobsters, until they can live on their own.

So, coral reefs act like a big, underwater neighborhood where many different animals can live together in harmony.