Coral Reefs Location

Reef-building corals make up the majority of the underwater ecosystem that is referred to as a coral reef. Calcium carbonate holds coral polyp colonies together, forming reefs. Stony corals are the building blocks of most coral reefs, and their polyps cluster together in groups.

In the animal phylum Cnidaria, which includes sea anemones and jellyfish, coral belongs to the class Anthozoa. For corals, unlike sea anemones, the hard carbonate exoskeletons they create provide support and protection. In warm, shallow, clean, bright, and agitated water, the majority of reefs do their best growth. Coral reefs replaced the Cambrian microbial and sponge reefs 485 million years ago, marking the commencement of the Early Ordovician.

Shallow coral reefs, which are often known as “underwater rainforests,” are home to some of the planet’s most diverse ecosystems. Only approximately half of France’s ocean floor is occupied by these tiny coral reefs, yet they are home to more than a quarter of the world’s ocean-dwelling animals, including many types of fish and mollusks as well as sponges, echinoderms, and other cnidarians. Few nutrients in the ocean allow coral reefs to thrive. Deep-water and cold-water coral reefs can also be found on smaller scales in tropical waters, but they’re less common.

Coral reefs found in India

On the mainland, there are approximately 7,517 kilometers (or 6,100 miles) of shoreline. Fringing, barrier and atoll reefs can all be found in India.

The islands of the Andamans and Nicobars

Most of the islands in the Bay of Bengal’s bordering reefs offer a diverse array of marine life.

Eastern coast

Between the Chandrabhaga coast and Ramachandi in Odisha, there is a coral reef.

The Gulf of Mannar 

From Rameswaram in the north to Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in the south, a chain of 21 islands with a fringe of reefs. As a biosphere reserve, the Gulf of Mannar includes this section of the gulf.

The Gulf of Kutch 

Fringing reefs are the only thing you’ll find here. Because of the wide temperature range and high salinity, the reefs are still in a rather primitive state. Biodiversity is lower in the harbours. In addition to being a marine national park, the Gulf of Kutch is also known as such.

Lakshadweep

There are 36 islands in all, 10 of which have human habitation. All of the islands are under 1 km (0.62 miles) long and under 2 km (1.2 miles) wide, and none of them are longer or wider than 9 km (5.6 miles).

Western coast

In the western part of the Gulf of Khambhat, there are a few coral reefs that can be found near the inlets. Off the coast of Vijaydurg, Maharashtra, is Angria Bank, a coral reef. Tarkarli is a minor reef in Malvan, Maharashtra. Netrani Island in Karnataka has a coral reef.

Coral reef characteristics

Marine life thrives in the shallow waters of coral reefs, which can be found all around the world. For the vast structure of a coral reef, the coral polyps, which are little marine organisms that live in colonies, are the building blocks. Marine organisms leave behind hard structures, and the limestone that is left behind is strong enough to provide a habitat for new species when they die.

Zooxanthellae, a type of photosynthetic algae, dwell in the tissues of reef-building corals in shallow water. Zooxanthellae can thrive in a protected habitat thanks to the coral. In exchange, algae create carbohydrates and oxygen, both of which the coral consumes. Corals benefit from algae’s ability to eliminate waste. Mutualism is a sort of symbiosis in which both parties profit from the relationship.

Zooxanthellae are absent from the deeper or colder oceanic waters where deep-sea corals grow. Instead of relying on photosynthesis like their shallow-water counterparts, deep-sea corals feed mostly on plankton and organic debris.

Facts about coral reef

• Corals are not plants; they are animals.

• Corals are often mistaken for plants or rocks, although this is incorrect. Colonies are made up of both hard and soft corals, and they dwell together in big groupings.

• Coral reefs provide half a billion people with food.

• Humans get their sustenance from fish, who in turn get theirs from the coral reefs. Coral reef fish are eaten by an estimated 500 million people around the world.

• To thrive, coral reefs require sunlight.

• In shallow water, coral reefs thrive, as sunlight may easily reach the reefs.

• However, there is a danger in having too much heat.

• During the process of bleaching, corals expel their algae, which causes them to turn white – a symbiotic relationship. To combat the rising ocean temperatures, certain corals have been found to glow brightly, which has sparked the global Glowing movement.

• During storms, they provide protection.

• As a natural barrier against storm surge and flooding, coral reef systems are vital to coastal communities worldwide. They restrict the flow of water and protect the coastline from erosion by acting as a buffer.

• Many corals and sponges feed on particles in the ocean, which makes the water crystal pure because of the work of the coral reefs.

• As far back as 240 million years, coral reefs have been around.

• As far back as 240 million years ago, coral reefs were forming! There are established coral reefs today that are between 5,000 and 10,000 years old, although individual corals can only live for a few months at most.

Conclusion

Coral reefs, one of the world’s oldest and most dynamic ecosystems, are essential to ocean life. Corals thrive in the Indian Ocean because of the warm, tropical climate in India. Not only do these reefs safeguard the coastlines from erosion, but they also serve as a haven for a diverse environment.

Coral reefs in India are one of India’s oldest and most active ecosystems. Reefs preserve the shoreline by preventing it from being eroded and serving as a haven for a wide variety of marine life. While India’s total coastline, including its many islands, measures 7517 kilometres, India’s continental coast measures only 6100 kilometres.