Introduction

Coral reefs are a type of marine ecosystem. There are three different types of coral reefs; barrier, fringing, and atoll. They are commonly found in warm tropic waters near the equator. The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Reefs thrive in shallow water and being exposed to sunlight. Coral reefs are home to communities of life who live in the reefs. They contain many different species of crustaceans, mollusks, and fish. Seaweed, plankton, and algae create a strong food source for fish.

Four major taxonomic groups of coral reefs:

1) Plankton:

• Micro-organisms influenced by currents and wind, commonly known as "drifters"
• Are at the bottom of the marine food chain
• Either absorb carbon and sink, or transfer carbon back into water through decomposition

2) Algae:

• Eukaryotic organisms, that range from microscopic single-celled forms, to multicellular forms
• Divided into three groups:
• Brown Algae (Phaeophyta)
• Green Algae (Chlorophyta)
• Red Algae (Rhodophyta)
• Types of organisms that are incorrectly classified as plants

3) Invertebrates:

• Animals that lack a backbone
• 98% of species on Earth are invertebrates. In place of a backbone, they rely on other forms of living, such as:
• Hydrostatic pressure, exoskeletons, shells, or glass spicules.

4) Vertebrates:

• Any animal with a backbone or spinal column
• Includes many types of marine life such as:
• Fish, whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, etc.
• Overall, there are about 65,000 known species that are vertebrates

Alevizon, Dr. William. "Coral Reef Plants." Coral Reef Plants | Common Plant Life of Coral Reef Ecosystems. 2010-2013, http://www.coral-reef-info.com/coral-reef-plants.html.

Kennedy, Jennifer."Fun Facts About Atlantic Cod." Gadus Morhua.2017.http://marinelife.about.com/od/fish/p/atlanticcod.htm.