GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Coral reefs are often called the “tropical rainforests of the sea” for their astounding richness of life. Due to their structural complexity, corals are one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth, providing important services to mankind including fisheries, coastal protection, medicines, recreation, and tourism.

Detailed explanation-2: -Because of the diversity of life found in the habitats created by corals, reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea.” About 25% of the ocean’s fish depend on healthy coral reefs. Fishes and other organisms shelter, find food, reproduce, and rear their young in the many nooks and crannies formed by corals.

Detailed explanation-3: -Coral Reefs: The Rainforests of the Sea.

Detailed explanation-4: -Coral reefs are made up of colonies of hundreds to thousands of tiny individual corals, called polyps. These marine invertebrate animals have hard exoskeletons made of calcium carbonate, and are sessile, meaning permanently fixed in one place.

Detailed explanation-5: -Why are coral reefs described as ‘the rainforests of the sea’? They resemble tropical rainforests in two ways: 1. Both thrive under nutrient-poor conditions (where nutrients are tied up in living matter) yet support rich communities through efficient recycling processes.