Corals are invertebrate animals belonging to a large group of colourful and fascinating animals called Cnidaria. Each individual coral animal is called a polyp.

What is coral bleaching?

• Coral bleaching occurs when the symbiosis between corals and their symbiotic zooxanthellae breaks down.
• Mostly caused by a rise in sea surface temperature.
• Coral bleaching can be reversed. But will take a lot of time.

Where can we find corals?

• Coral can be found in tropical ocean waters around the world.

Features of Coral

• Coral are generally classified as either “hard coral” or “soft coral”.
• Coral reefs are the largest living structure on the planet, and the only living structure to be visible from space.
• Coral polyps have a relationship with tiny single-celled plants, known as zooxanthellae.
• The symbiotic relationship between the plant and animal also contributes to the brilliant colours of coral.
• The reef-building corals prefer to grow at depths shallower than 30 m.

Benefits of Coral

• Coral reefs are often called the rainforests of the sea, both due to the vast number of species they harbour.
• Reefs support an estimated twenty-five percent of all marine life.
• Reefs provide spawning, nursery, refuge, and feeding areas for a large variety of organisms.
• Reef structures play an important role as natural breakwaters.
• Powerful attraction for the tourism industry, leading to job creation.

Source: Down To Earth