Coral reefs are some of the most colorful ecosystems in the ocean and they are full of life. Even the coral is alive. Coral is made up of tiny little animals called polyps. Did you know that coral is related to jelly fish? Scientists have identified over 2,500 different species of known coral around the world in all shapes, colors and sizes.  They are finding more every year. The coral reefs provide shelter, food, and protection for fish, sea turtles, crabs, and countless other sea creatures. They also help protect coastlines from strong waves and storms.

Scientists have found that different species that live in the reef and depend on one another for survival. This is called symbiosis or a close relationship between two living things. One example of this is the clownfish and the sea anemone. Like in the movie Finding Nemo. Clownfish live in the anemone’s stinging tentacles. The tentacles protect the small fish and the fish keeps the anemone. Another example of symbiosis is the parrotfish and the coral. Parrotfish nibble on the coral, scraping off algae that can harm the reef. When they digest the coral’s calcium, they poop fine white sand. The sand washes ashore and becomes part of the beaches that people love to visit. One large parrotfish can produce hundreds of pounds of sand every year. That's a lot of poop. Before it gets to the beach it is washed and sterilized in the ocean water.

There are many coral reefs around the world that are vital to Earth’s oceans. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest and most famous. It is so large that it can be seen from space. There are many other reef systems like the Belize Reef, the Red Sea Coral Reef and, and the New Caledonia Barrier Reef near the South Pacific. These reefs are home to rare species found nowhere else on Earth, and they play a major role in balancing the ocean’s ecosystems.

To help protect ocean life, scientists and divers have begun building artificial reefs. These are man-made structures placed on the ocean floor to attract marine life and encourage coral growth. Sometimes, people sink old ships, airplanes, or specially designed concrete blocks to create new habitats. These artificial reefs give fish and corals a safe place to live. Over time, these man-made reefs can become covered with algae, coral, and sponges, turning into thriving underwater habitats of their own.

Even though global warming has harmed many coral reefs, some still manage to grow. This is because certain coral species have adapted to warmer water, and scientists are studying how to help other corals do the same. In some  places humans are helping reefs recover by planting small coral fragments that can regrow and spread. Coral reefs remind us that even the smallest creatures can build something extraordinary that helps protect and sustain life on our planet.