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 ID# : 59896
 Visits: 10757
 Added: 11-Jun-2004
 Updated: 18-Jun-2013
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 John Everett
 Lamarr Trott
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How Do Stony Corals Grow? Maintained by NOAA  
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How Do Stony Corals Grow?
 
Most stony corals have very small polyps, averaging 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter, but entire colonies can grow very large and weigh several tons. As they grow, these reefs provide structural habitats for hundreds to thousands of different vertebrate and invertebrate species. The skeletons of stony corals are secreted by the lower portion of the polyp. This process produces a cup, or calyx, in which the polyp sits. The walls surrounding the cup are called the theca, and the floor is called the basal plate. Periodically, a polyp will lift off its base and secrete a new basal plate above the old one, creating a small chamber in the skeleton. While the colony is alive, CaCO3 is deposited, adding partitions and elevating the coral. Coral species number in the thousands, and stony corals take on several characteristic forms. Reefs form when polyps secrete skeletons of calcium carbonate
 
 
 
 
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  103 Documents 
  
An important contribution to the study of biodiversity in the tropical seas. A Systematic Appraisal of Hard Corals (Family Acroporidae) from the G...-East India An important contribution to the study of biodiversity in the tropical seas....  
Alien algae form massive blooms on Hawaii's coral reefs Alien Marine Algae in the Hawaiian Islands Alien algae form massive blooms on Hawaii's coral reefs 
A report prepared for the Signatory States to the IOSEA Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding Assessment of the impact of the December 2004 tsunami on marine turtl...h-East Asia A report prepared for the Signatory States to the IOSEA Marine Turtle Memorandu...  
Biochemical nutrient cycles in coral reef ecosystems Biochemical nutrient cycles in coral reef ecosystems. In: Dubinsky, Z...p. 49-74.  Biochemical nutrient cycles in coral reef ecosystems 
Biodiversity and ecosystem function of coral reefs Biodiversity and ecosystem function of coral reefs. In: Mooney, H.A.,...ersity: A  Biodiversity and ecosystem function of coral reefs 
There is growing realization that deep-water coral reef environments are habitat to a rich collection of flora and fauna that may form an integrated community providing habitats for both vertebrate and invertebrate growth and reproduction. Consequently, Canada’s Deep-Water Corals There is growing realization that deep-water coral reef environments are habita...  
patterns of bioerosion and sediment release by parrotfishes  Carbonate transport and within-reef patterns of bioerosion and sedime...7: 127-136  patterns of bioerosion and sediment release by parrotfishes  
A practical guide for coastal resource managers to reduce damage from catchment areas based on best practice case studies Catchment Management and Coral Reef Conservation A practical guide for coastal resource managers to reduce damage from catchment...  
This leaflet prepared for the International Year of Biodiversity 2010 shows that reefs are suffering increasing damage from climate change and threatening the livelihoods and food security of millions of people. Climate Change and Coral Reefs. Consequences of inaction This leaflet prepared for the International Year of Biodiversity 2010 shows tha...  
Climate Change, Coral Bleaching and the future of the World's Coral Reefs Climate Change, Coral Bleaching and the future of the World's Coral Reefs Climate Change, Coral Bleaching and the future of the World's Coral Reefs...  
Special issue of the magazine <a href=http://pemsea.org/publications/tropical-coasts-magazine/tropical-coasts-magazine>Tropical Coasts</a> devoted to food security in the seas of East Asia. Coastal Resources: Productivity and Impacts on Food Security Special issue of the magazine <a href=http://pemsea.org/publications/tropical-c...  
This report provides preliminary results on 678 reef sharks counted by freedivers Commnunity monitoring of Reef Sharks from the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea This report provides preliminary results on 678 reef sharks counted by freedive...  
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