Photo by Alexa Elliott

BUT, WHAT IS IT?
Stony corals, which are the architectural reef builders, begin life as free floating larvae that settle on the ocean floor and eventually form sedentary limestone structures. These complex organisms consist of thousands of tube-like animals called coral polyps. To form a reef, polyps extract calcium particles from the water and combine them with carbon dioxide to create intricate limestone skeletons. But it takes two to tango! Living within the coral are delicate marine algae called zooxanthellae. By means of photosynthesis, zooxanthellae supply the corals with food energy in exchange for shelter and protection provided by the reef’s calcareous framework.

CORALS FOR ALL
Beyond the alluring colors and the entrancing textures of these underwater works of art, coral reefs play an essential role in the lives of various marine plants and animals. They provide food, shelter and breeding grounds for a number of fish and other sea creatures such as spiny lobsters, ocean sponges, long-spined sea urchins, and sea turtles. Forty percent of marine fish spend at least parts of their lives on a reef. Because of this, these habitats contribute greatly to the state’s commercial and recreational fisheries. Fishing along the reefs, combined with the tourism they attract, brings several billion dollars to the state annually.  But the benefits don’t stop there! Coral reefs protect shoreline habitats and man-made structures by reducing the wave energy created by storms and hurricanes.

Photo by Alexa Elliott

UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Florida is known for its coral reefs that exude life and color, but in recent years these specialized habitats have suffered tremendously and are now at risk of becoming extinct. Rising water temperatures caused by global climate change, ocean acidification, and natural diseases add large amounts of stress. Ocean vessel groundings, boat anchors, over-fishing, discarded trash, and damage caused by divers also severely impacts these delicate ecosystems. In addition, decreased water quality caused by sewage, water runoff containing harmful chemicals, and other land-based sources of pollution, leads to an increase of harmful algae in the water. These algae make it difficult for corals to grow.

Resources for this article have been provided by the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative, WIkipedia and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.