Coral reef ecosystems

Abstract

Coral reefs constitute the most dominant marine benthic ecosystem of tropical seas. The complexity of. the biotic and abiotic interactions, coupled with rich biodiversity of reef dwelling and reef building fauna and flora are comparable to those prevailing in tropical rain forests. Several important problems related to coral reefs all over the world, such as, biodiversity, biogeochemical cycles, nutrient flux, environmental degradation and ecological collapse, exploitation of reef resources- their conservation and management, have been addressed