Coral reefs

Coral reefs

Coral reefs are structures formed from the calcium carbonate secretions of corals. They are colonies of tiny animals in marine areas containing few nutrients.

Industry: Natural environment

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Coral reefs

Introgressive hybridization

Natural environment; Coral reefs

The spread of genes of one species to another species through hybridization. The hybrids are able to breed back into one of the parental populations. This allows the reintroduction of alleles that ...

Flotsam

Natural environment; Coral reefs

Wreckage or discarded material, e.g. Garbage, found floating on the surface of the ocean or washed up on the beach.

Algal mat

Natural environment; Coral reefs

A dense layer of algae, usually filamentous, which blankets the bottom in a shallow water environment. An algal mat can also be a ‘mat’ of microscopic species, usually diatoms, covering soft bottoms, ...

Ciguatoxin

Natural environment; Coral reefs

A toxin found in flesh of marine animals, especially some fishes, at some times, in some localities. It is probably of algal origin and causes paresthesia, gastrointestinal symptoms, neuromuscular ...

Sea cucumber

Natural environment; Coral reefs

An echinoderm in the class Holothuroidea. Sea cucumbers possess a flexible, elongated body and leathery skin, and tentacles surrounding the mouth. Although they don't superficially resemble other ...

Indicator species

Natural environment; Coral reefs

Any organism that by its presence or absence, its frequency, or its vigor, indicates a particular property of its surrounding environment; a species whose presence is a sign that certain ...