Without them, the reef would quickly become a lifeless moonscape. One important algal group, benthic (bottom-dwelling) algae, rapidly grows over dead coral and other inert objects, providing a ...

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert ...

Staghorn corals occur in shallow tropical reefs, slopes ... a family of algae that creates nutrients for the coral by converting sunlight into energy by way of photosynthesis.

Biotoxins linked with harmful algal blooms have been implicated in widespread mortality ... tourism and the communities that depend on them. Studies on coral reefs have shown they can be particularly ...

Debris and toxins released from the fires can damage kelp forests and lead to destructive algal blooms that snuff ... are like three-dimensional coral reefs that tower nearly 200 feet above ...

The parrot fish are an integral part of the coral reef ecosystem because they eat the excess algae, which allows the coral to survive. The result was that algae growth soon overtook the coral and ...

The runoff of agricultural chemicals, sewage, and other pollutants from the land is affecting the water quality of the reef. This pollution can cause algal blooms, which can smother coral and ...

Coral reefs are marine structures created by calcifying coral animals and their algal symbionts. Coral reef ecosystems are generally high in biodiversity, most often found in shallow tropical seas ...