Coral reefs: biology, ecology, threats & impact prevention

Abstract

Coral reefs are one of the Earth’s most complex and diverse ecosystems. Coral reefs have evolved over long periods of geological time in response to certain natural phenomena including tectonic movements, changes in climate and associated changes in sea level. The oldest known coral reef appeared more than 450 million years ago and by 150 million years before present, corals had diversified and spread globally throughout tropical shorelines