Coral Reef Biodiversity
Quick Fact
Coral reefs support around 25% of all marine species despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor.
About This Species
Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor yet support approximately 25% of all marine species. They are built by tiny coral polyps — animals related to jellyfish — that secrete calcium carbonate skeletons over thousands of years. Coral reefs provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for an extraordinary diversity of fish, invertebrates, and other marine life. They also protect coastlines from wave erosion and support the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
Why It Matters
Coral reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching. Without urgent action on climate change, the majority of the world's coral reefs could be lost within decades.