Plants of the Coral Reef 

SEA GRASS: Sea grass grows in shallow waters such as coral reefs, and can provide shelter for surrounding fish, while creating a buffer of tidal waves from crushing the coral. Sea grass can grow up to five meters, and when growing, collect sediment in the water, clearing it to be cleaner for fish to live. The plant life is taking a toll from climate change, negatively impacting the growth of sea grass.

ALGAE: Algae plays an incredible role in the marine biome, producing nearly 70% of all Oxygen, through photosynthesis! Algae is also important to the food chain, medicine and industrial products, for both humans and fish which keeps the population of fish thriving. But there can also be a negative effect from algae blooms, which can actually lead to oxygen depletion and kill fish.

RED ALGAE: Not unlike the green algae, red algae has all of the same characteristics except for the way that red algae grows in more of a branch shape than green algae. Some species of red algae can produce toxic compounds that can harm humans and other organisms, and some can cause damage to coral reefs. Scientists are working to better understand the role of red algae in reef ecosystems and how they can be managed and conserved to ensure their continued health and productivity.