Among the world’s most beautiful habitats” are the coral reefs which are also “among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet.” Coral, a very sensitive organism, establishes itself in clear warm waters where there are not enough nutrients to sustain other marine life. The coral animal does this by “harnessing” microscopic algae which provide the corals with food and oxygen while the corals give the algae carbon dioxide and other necessary nutrients. As a coral reef emerges, it provides a home for a variety of organisms, all dependent on each other for life. The coral itself is very sensitive to water purity and temperature changes; therefore, if the coral is subjected to drastic changes in these indicators, it may die. Coral is now being removed from the ocean for a variety of reasons and concern about trade in coral has prompted action.
