Coral Reefs and Diversity

In this section we attempt to address these questions: What is a coral? What is a coral reef? How are they formed? Why are they important? How do they function as ecosystems? What major roles are played by the organisms that live there and in associated habitats? Why should we care about them? Where are they found? How do reefs around the world differ? What types of reefs are there?  What current studies are being done to help us learn more about reef structure and function? Why is basic research on reef ecology and diversity important?