Coral Reef’s Formation Stages
Coral reefs began forming some 30 million years ago. Coral reefs are formed from little polyps that have come together with time. Coral polyps are tiny soft tissue organisms related to the jellyfish family. Coral reefs are very important to our ecosystem, our health and many of the sea creatures. It provides shelter for many species in the sea but also helps prevent big tropical storms and destructions. The purpose of this document is to teach you how reefs are formed. The coral reefs have 3 formation stages which consists of fringing reef, barrier reef and atoll.
Coral Reef’s First Stage: Fringing Reef
The first stage of reefs formation is the fringing reef also called shore reef which is the coral larvae attaching to rocks or soil. Most of these larvae never grow because there is no place for them to become adults in the warm surface ocean waters. They need to attach to a solid surface that will stay in the warm, clear tropical water and most places are already taken, but not on a new island. The larvae then become a polyp and excrete calcium carbonate, which forms their exoskeleton or their bodies. As they grow they excrete more calcium carbonate to attract more polyps to attach. As more polyps attach to the rock, the coral reef starts forming and getting bigger. The Great Barrier Reef found on Australian coast is the largest continuous coral reef in the world, followed by the Mesoamerican Reef.
Coral Reef’s Second Stage: Barrier Reef
The fringing reefs start to combine to form barrier reefs which is the second stage of formation. As they get bigger it needs more sunlight to keep growing and attracting more polyps. Barrier reefs form a very large and colorful lines along the warm coasts of islands. About 25 percent of all known marine species rely on coral reefs for food, shelter and breeding. As barrier reefs get bigger more sea creatures find a home there.
Coral Reef’s Third Stage: Atoll
The fringing reefs continue to grow and form barrier reefs which then creates protected rings of coral. The rings are formed by the waves breaking into the barrier reef. Those rings are called atolls and are found mostly close to volcanoes called seamounts. Atolls is the last stage of formation and is strong enough to form an island and are often hidden by ocean waves. Of the 3 stages, atoll is the one where most sea creature are found. You can find about 1 million species in an atoll coral reef. Most of the worlds largest atolls are located in the Pacific Ocean.
Coral reefs are extremely important to sea creatures and us. The provide us with medicine and protects us from tropical storms. Also creates a secured home for many sea species. Coral reefs should be protected always for the sake of our health.
