Coral Reefs

Corals are a diverse lifeform that include mushroom corals, leather corals, button polyps, pulse corals, sea pens, sea fans, anemones and organpipe corals. Bridging the gap between plant and animal, corals host microscopic photosynthesising algae to digest their food. They have further symbiotic relationships with reef fish-any clownfish will have an anemone home for example. Accompanied by fascinating, lively commentary, Coral Reefs profiles the wide diversity of coral groups, key aspects of their natural history, how a coral reef works and why they are important to the oceans. A delicate lifeform that unfortunately prefers the taste of microplastics to food, these creatures are increasingly endangered because of global warming and ocean acidification-as well as human interference. Interspersed throughout are exquisite photographs featuring the diversity of coral species.