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Epic reaches 75 million kids in class and after school.

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Tundras Inside Out kids' book from the leading digital reading platform with a collection of 40,000+ books from 250+ of the world's best publishers. Read now on Epic.

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Epic reaches 75 million kids in class and after school.

Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

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online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

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Tundra Food Webs in Action kids' book from the leading digital reading platform with a collection of 40,000+ books from 250+ of the world's best publishers. Read now on Epic.

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Instantly access Ocean Food Webs in Action plus over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids.

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Kids learn about the tundra grasslands biome. This cold and dry ecosystem is located far to the north.

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Coral reefs are an essential part of our planet's delicate ecosystems, providing habitat for thousands of species and providing protection from natural disasters. In this article, we will explore why coral reefs are important - both economically and environmentally.

Corals are marine invertebrate organisms that belong to the class Anthozoa. Corals look like hard stony substances that live in colonies of identical individual polyps. Coral polyps are small and soft organisms with a solid base of limestone skeletons known as calicles. These skeleton forms the shape of coral reefs.

When a polyp attaches to a rock on the seafloor, it starts dividing into many clones, transforming into a reef. These polyps start connecting with each other, forming their own colony and acting as individual organisms.

Coral polyps look very beautiful, having different color combinations, but actually, they are semi-transparent. Corals get their beautiful colors from host algae, known as zooxanthellae.

For nutrition, corals mostly depend on the by-product of the algal photosynthesis process. Sometimes they use their tentacles to grab zooplanktons and even some small fishes.

Most of the sea-bed area is covered with coral, which enhances the beauty of marine life and plays an essential role in marine ecology. Here, you will get to know a little more about the stunning-looking creature of the marine ecosystem.

Coral reefs usually live in clear, tropical oceans. They are formed in sea beds almost 150 feet deep from the surface because they need sunlight to live.

Coral reefs survive in water, having a temperature between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius. That is why coral reefs are often seen along the Eastern shores of the land and where the wave actions are quite high. The waves bring food & oxygen needed for coral reefs to survive. The waves also help to prevent the accumulation of sediments on coral reefs.

Coral reefs play an essential role in the marine food chain. The sun acts as an energy source for coral reefs. The phytoplankton, zooxanthellae, and other plants prepare food through photosynthesis. The coral reefs fulfill their food nutrient requirement from these phytoplanktons and zooxanthellae.

Different types of sea creatures take shelter in the coral reef ecosystem, such as jellyfish, rays, sponges, worms, lobsters, octopuses, snails, urchins, seals, starfish, shrimps, other small fishes, etc.

Coral reefs are found in different colors, such as white, pink, blue, purple, red, green, orange, etc. It is interesting to know that coral reefs are found in various forms. Commonly, there are three types of coral reefs:

Fringing Coral Reefs: Fringing coral reefs are usually found along seashores of continents & islands. This type of coral reef is generally found in Hawaii & Caribbean seas.

Barrier Coral Reefs: Barrier reefs are found far away from the seashores. These coral reefs are common in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean oceans. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef found in Australia, which is almost 1200 miles longer.

Atolls Corals: Atolls are ring-shaped massive coral reefs surrounding a central lagoon. They are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Are Corals Animals or Plants?

Coral looks like rocks from its hard appearance, and sometimes it also seems like plants because of its taking roots attached to the seafloor. Despite plant-like features, corals do not make their own food. They depend on zooxanthellae (algae) for their food requirement. In return, corals help the algae remove sediments from its surface and supply organic products for photosynthesis. Well, corals neither rocks nor these are plants. Corals are actually animals.

The corals are made up of numerous small animals known as polyps. Each coral polyp is an invertebrate and is sized almost equal to a pinhead. Each polyp contains numerous tentacles. The polyps take calcium carbonate from seawater to construct their hard-skeletal cover to protect their soft inside body.

The coral species vary in terms of the reproduction cycle. Some coral species reproduce once a year, whereas others reproduce twice yearly. Most of the coral species spawn by releasing an egg into the water; however, the duration of spawning varies from one species to another.

At first, a larva forms when an egg meets with a sperm. The coral reefs start forming when the baby coral floats on water to search for a suitable place to attach. These corals grow and transform into any one of these characteristic structures: fringing, barrier, or atoll.

Why Are Coral Reefs Important?

It is often said that coral reefs are the rainforests of the sea. In addition to being one of the world's most bio-diverse ecosystems, they are also home to a vast variety of marine life. We rely heavily on coral reefs to keep our oceans and planet healthy. Take a look at these reasons why coral reefs are so important in the world.

Provide Shelter to Various Species

Coral reefs provide food and safe shelter to many species of water kingdoms, such as shrimps, small fishes, and many other predators. From algae to fish, they provide a home for a wide range of species.

Protecting the Coastal Areas

Coral reefs play an essential role in slowing down the flow of water waves near coasts. In coastal areas, they serve as a natural barrier, which can reduce the impact of storms and high tides. One of the interesting facts is that corals are more likely to be found in the area where the ocean waves are quite high.

Natural Water Filtration by Coral Reefs

Coral reefs cannot survive in misty and polluted water. When water passes over and through coral reefs, they trap impurities and filter them from the water. This is why they consume particles mixed with ocean water and naturally filter the water. Clean and clear water help to survive coral for long life, and it also helps to make the beaches more attractive.

Controlling Carbon Levels with Coral Reefs

Coral limestone is the result of the ocean processing carbon in the water. Carbon dioxide levels in the ocean water increase to their maximum levels when corals are absent. As a result of this increase in carbon dioxide levels in ocean water, other creatures in the marine ecosystem may suffer.

As coral reefs grow, they absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the seawater around them. It reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the ocean, which helps prevent climate change.

Food From Corals

Many people consume fish and other seafood. Corals give food to millions of humans in the form of fishes and other sea creatures. Many coastal communities eat fish that live on or near coral reefs. Hence corals are vital to fulfilling the seafood requirement of humans.

Tourism And Corals Importance

The coral reef tourism industry contributes greatly to the economy by providing food and jobs for people living nearby. Reefs are one of the most attractions that attract tourists to visit beaches.

Furthermore, coral reefs are a source of employment for fishermen, tour guides, and others in the tourism industry. This is why they take the protection of beaches as a top priority so that more tourists come to visit these beaches every year.

How to Preserve Coral Reefs?

We still have time to save these amazing ecosystems, but we need to act now. To preserve coral reefs, you can do the following:

Be A Responsible Tourist

As eco-friendly tourists, we should behave responsibly. In order to prevent accidental damage to coral reefs, we should not enter our boats in coral reef areas.

Since corals are fragile and non-mobile creatures, we should not touch them to cause any harm. Please do not dispose of waste on beaches or in ocean water. This will eventually come into contact with coral reefs, causing damage to their delicate nature.

Proper Recycling and Waste Disposal

Improper disposal of waste and garbage is severely affecting the marine ecosystem, including coral reefs. Hence, we must recycle the trash at home and follow the concept of the 3 Rs (recycle, reuse, and reduce). You should stop allowing waste to enter the water stream improperly to prevent water pollution.

Limit The Use of Plastic

The presence of plastic pollution poses a serious threat to marine life. Coral reef animals, like turtles and fish, mistake it for food or get entangled in it. To reduce your impact, avoid single-use plastics whenever possible, and dispose of your plastic waste properly.

Reduce The Use of Fertilizers

The fertilizers contain various nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, etc. When these nutrients are washed into waterways, they ultimately enter oceans. These nutrients change the entire ocean water chemistry, affecting the structures, colors, and fragility of the coral reefs.

Utilize Eco-Friendly Transportation

The number of vehicles has increased significantly in the past few years (especially cars). The emission from vehicles (greenhouse gases) is causing the acidification of ocean water. As a result, the temperature of ocean water is increasing simultaneously.

The acidic water is causing complications in the growth of coral reefs. The temperature increase of ocean water is also responsible for coral bleaching to greater extents.

Save Energy on A Personal Level

We all know how important it is to save energy. You can also contribute at a personal level by implementing a few changes in your lifestyle. For example, switch to energy-efficient products like LED bulbs, switch off the lights and other electric appliances when not in use, etc.

Encourage Sustainable Fishing Practices

There is no doubt that over-fishing is one of the biggest threats to coral reefs. You can help protect these delicate ecosystems by eating sustainably caught fish.

Awareness is an effective way to fight against environmental issues. You can educate the people about the damaging effects of pollution, how it affects the marine ecosystem and coral reefs, and how we can handle this environmental problem. You can further participate in coral triangle day and raise awareness.

Based on what we have seen so far, coral reefs are extremely valuable, and their loss has severe consequences. Coral reefs contribute not only to food availability and biodiversity, but also to the livelihoods of people who live near them.

To protect these delicate ecosystems, we must take all the necessary steps now. Just a few decades from now, we could lose this valuable resource if we do not act quickly to protect it. Therefore, preserving coral reefs amazing creatures before they disappear forever is so crucial.

We hope this article has helped you understand the importance of coral reefs in protecting biodiversity. Please share this informative article with your friends and family members.

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Why Are Coral Reefs Important? | Coral Reef Preservation

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Corals and coral reefs are crucial part of marine ecosystem. Understand why coral reefs are so important to humankind with its preservation.

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Did you know that more wildlife lives around coral reefs than in any other part of the ocean? Find out more about these important ecosystems in our coral reef facts...
What are coral reefs?

When you look at a coral reef, you might think that you are seeing a group of colourful rocks. But don't be mistaken! Reefs are actually made out of living creatures called coral.

Where are coral reefs found?

Coral reefs can be found all over the world! However, most coral reefs grow in shallow, clean ocean waters on either side of the Equator, because they need sunlight and warm temperatures all year to survive.

Some famous coral reefs include the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Amazon Reef in Brazil and French Guiana, the Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines and the Miami Terrace Reef in the United States.

Quick facts about coral reefs...

- Coral have growth rings, just like trees!

- The first coral reefs formed on Earth 240 million years ago. That's before the dinosaurs were alive!

- Most coral reefs today are between 5,000 and 10,000 years old.

- There are more than 800 different types of hard coral around the world.

- The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system on Earth. You can even see it from space!

Life in coral reefs

Lots of different types of sea creatures call coral reefs their home - giant clams, starfish, sea turtles, , eels, cuttlefish and many, many more. The reefs provide this diverse range of animals with everything they need, including food and shelter.

A lot of animals who live on the reef camouflage themselves to blend amongst the coral, either to stay safe from other animals or to hide as they hunt.

Plants also live on reefs. Algae live inside soft coral, using sunlight to provide food and help the coral grow. In other areas, sea grass provides food for sea animals like dugongs and turtles.

Why are coral reefs endangered?

The biggest threats to coral reefs are spilling into the oceans, damage from ships and boats, and climate change, which makes the water warmer and more acidic.

Save our coral reefs!

To save our coral reefs, many people are working hard to clean up the pollution on land and in the sea. Some countries have even protected their coral reefs.

You can help save coral reefs too, by following some simple tips:

- Conserve your water use, by turning off taps when you brush your teeth!

- If you're lucky enough to go diving, look at the coral - but don't touch it! Touching coral can disturb it, and sometimes kill it.

- Spread the word and tell your friends about how they can help save the planet!

All images: Pixabay

Did you enjoy reading our coral reef facts? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

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Coral reef facts for kids! - National Geographic Kids

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Learn about coral reefs in our coral reef facts for kids. What are coral reefs and where are they found? What lives inside coral reefs?

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Epic reaches 75 million kids in class and after school.

Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

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online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

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Savanna Food Chains kids' book from the leading digital reading platform with a collection of 40,000+ books from 250+ of the world's best publishers. Read now on Epic.

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Read The Coral Reef: A Giant City Under the Sea on Epic

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Epic reaches 75 million kids in class and after school.

Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

Get Started

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online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

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Read The Coral Reef: A Giant City Under the Sea on Epic

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The Coral Reef: A Giant City Under the Sea kids' book from the leading digital reading platform with a collection of 40,000+ books from 250+ of the world's best publishers. Read now on Epic.

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The Savanna Ecosystem - Educational Video for Kids!

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Savanna is an ecosystem with a huge grassland area spread in acres. It is mostly known as a dry region, but it is wet at the same time. Well, the savanna is a natural landform with grasses all around providing a perfect environment, especially for grazing animals.

Each ecosystem, whether it is rainforest or savanna, has its importance in maintaining proper balance in the environment. Many people love to watch wildlife on the discovery channel; Jungle safari at Savanna grassland is an ideal amusement for them to experience wildlife personally.

A terrestrial habitat where plants and animals are living together in an open area covered with grasses and some scattered bushes & trees is known as Savanna grassland ecosystem.

It can also be defined as a "woodland-grassland ecosystem" where trees and grasses are scattered usually in tropical or subtropical regions and have seasonal rainfall.

Savanna grasslands are located within 30 degrees of Earth's equator usually found between tropical rainforest & deserts.

There are many different types of Savanna ecosystems found on the Earth, depending on different locations such as Serengeti Plains of Tanzania, Savanna of Venezuela, the vast Acacia Plains of East Africa, the Australian Savanna, etc.

Savanna Ecosystem Characteristics

Grasses cover savanna, hence called as grassland. However, you can see a few numbers of trees scattered here and there in the grassland area.

Savanna grassland is a vast area spread almost half the area of Africa. Apart from Africa, Savanna is also covered in some parts of Australia, South America, and India.

Climate is an essential characteristic of any ecosystem. The climate of the Savanna ecosystem is quite warm, and the temperature ranges between 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Savanna receives moderate rainfall up to 10 to 30 inches annually; This is why savanna experience dry season almost all year round. Savanna experience wet summer season (6 to 8 months) and dry winter season (4 to 6 months).

The plants & trees at Savanna ecosystem mostly lose their leaves or sometimes die due to adverse climatic conditions during the dry season.

The soil form at Savanna ecosystem is very poor in terms of fertility. As the nutrients found in the soil are very less, hence it is poor in quality. However, some amounts of nutrients are found in the soil surface due to the decaying of organic matter.

Poor quality soil is one of the major reasons for restricted vegetation in the Savanna ecosystem.

The soil found in the Savanna ecosystem appears red due to the high amount of iron present in it.

Fire in Savanna grassland is quite often to happen. In dry season burning of the grasslands at Savanna ecosystem is common to see.

When lightning strikes, the grassland in savanna catches fire, especially in the dry season. The fire burns the old dry grass in savanna that allows fresh grass to grow on the land.

Many plants can survive in case of fire because of their strong root system, which helps them to regrow faster after the fire.

Some trees with thick bark also win to survive in the adverse conditions during grassland fire.

As far as the animals are concerned, most of the animals escape from the place of fire. Some other animals burrow deep inside the ground to get protection against fire. Unfortunately, the insects mostly die in considerable numbers in grassland ignition.

Savanna is very poor in terms of vegetation with fewer trees, bushes, and huge grasslands. Less rainfall & dry climate is the primary reason for poor flora at Savanna ecosystem.

On the other hand, the savanna is quite rich in terms of the fauna of this region. It is a home for a wide variety of animal species starting from carnivorous, herbivorous, omnivorous, to scavengers, etc.

Savanna ecosystem provides shelter to various species of animals, including mammals, grazing animals, insects, etc. The large size mammals living in the Savanna ecosystem mostly include zebras, buffalo, leopard, elephants, cheetah, giraffes, rhinoceroses, lions, etc.

Other species of animals found in the Savanna ecosystem includes crocodile, meerkats, termites, ostriches, baboons, snakes, antelopes, ants, kangaroos, Aardwolf, African Wild Dog, Black Mamba, Blesbok, Bontebok, Nigriceps Ants, Nile Crocodile, etc.

Savanna ecosystem is also crowded with grazing herbivores that usually lives in a herd. These herbivores rely on their speed to survive against predators; Slow ones unfortunately becomes prey to the predators.

Camouflage is an important characteristic of the predator of the Savanna ecosystem. They camouflaged with the environment to get an easy chance for hunt. The camouflage technique is not only used by the predator for hunting but sometimes also used by prey to hide from predators.

As the name suggests, the savanna is known as grassland due to the insufficient number of trees. The adverse climate of the Savanna ecosystem does not allow flourishing ample vegetation.

The vegetation, including mostly grasses and dispersed trees, has adapted the climatic conditions of the Savanna ecosystem. Only those plant species can survive in the Savanna ecosystem that can resist in hot weather and little water.

Grass at Savanna ecosystem tends to grow rapidly in wet months, whereas in the dry season, the grasses become brown. The grass is comparatively shorter in size due to frequent fire.

Some plants and trees have developed long roots to reach water level underground to survive in dry weather of the Savanna ecosystem.

Some of the common plant species found in the Savanna ecosystem include Baobab, Candelabra Tree, Gum Tree Eucalyptus, Manketti Tree, Umbrella Thorn Acacia, Acacia Senegal, Bermuda Grass, Elephant Grass, Jackalberry Tree, River Bushwillow, Whistling Thorn, etc.

Savanna is an important ecosystem on Earth. We need to conserve this unique ecosystem for our future generation but, most importantly, for the flora & fauna of this region. Savanna grasslands provide habitat to hundreds of migratory bird species and endangered animal species.

The Savanna ecosystem is also a victim of climate change & global warming. As a result, some of the plant and animal species of Savanna grasslands have been extinct or becoming endangered. We need to take initiatives to protect the Savanna ecosystem from saving the plant and animal species that depend on this ecosystem for habitat.

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Savanna Ecosystem: Characteristics, Animals & Plants | Earth Reminder

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Savanna is an ecosystem with a huge grassland area spread in acres. It is mostly known as a dry region, but it is wet at the same time. Well, the savanna is a natural landform with grasses all around providing a perfect environment, especially for grazing animals.

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Discover what makes the world's great grasslands so awesome...

Savannahs are among the largest ecosystems in the world. Plus, they're home to some of the planet's coolest members of the animal kingdom - from lions and leopards, to meerkats, hyenas and stripy zebras. Join us as we go on a savannah safari and learn how YOU can help save this amazing savannah habitat!

Virtual expeditions!

- Explore the wildlife-packed savannah of Africa with these webcams:
Tembe Elephant Park webcam
Waterhole webcam

- Visit Africa's savannahs with Google Earth!

- Check out Google's amazing AR animals on your smartphone! Google one of the animals on the list below. If your phone is compatible, you should see a card that look like this:

Simply tap 'View in 3D' and enjoy!

Alligator
Angler fish
Bear
Brown bear
Cat
Cheetah
Deer
Dog
- French Bulldog
- Golden / Labrador Retriever
- Pomeranian
- Pug
- Rottweiler
Duck
Eagle
Emperor penguin
Goat
Hedgehog
Horse
Leopard
Lion
Macaw
Octopus
Panda
Penguin
Raccoon
Shark
Shetland pony
Snake
Tiger
Turtle
Wolf

Super habitat!

Savannahs are flat grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs. They're usually found near to the equator (the halfway point between the north and south parts of the Earth). This part of the world gets more direct sunlight than anywhere else, so the temperature is warm, all year round!

Savannahs only have two seasons instead of four - wet and dry. This is because seasons there are defined by how much rain falls. In fact, there's so much rain in the wet season, which lasts about six months, that it's known as ' monsoon season'. During these rainy months, a savannah can get 50 to 120cm of rain! This soggy weather helps the grasses that grow there to flourish - creating a habitat where different animals and birds can thrive.

DID YOU KNOW?
The world's largest land mammal - the African elephant - lives on the African savannahs!

Plants that grow in savannahs have to be able to survive long periods without rain. So, they have long roots that can reach far down into the earth for water, and trunks that can store moisture. Some grasses on savannahs have developed a nifty method of survival - they have a bitter flavour, designed to deter snack-seeking creatures! Other grasses grow from the bottom up, so grazing critters don't damage the plant's new growth!

DID YOU KNOW?
No two zebras have the same pattern of stripes - they all have unique markings!

Wonderful wildlife!

The dry, humid savannah landscape is so rich in grasses and tree life, it's the perfect home for large herbivores (plant eaters), such as buffaloes, zebra and giraffes. However, they're not alone - there are also lots of hungry predators roaming the savannah, including lions, hyenas, cheetahs, black mambas and leopards - yikes!

Wild dogs

African wild dogs like hanging out together in packs of 10 to 40. They hunt together too, tackling antelope, gazelle and larger prey - such as wildebeests - especially if the animal is ill or injured. These dogs are good runners and can sprint at speeds of over 70kmph! Sadly, African wild dogs are endangered, but conservation groups are working hard to save this furry species!

Wildebeest

During the African savannah's dry season, herds of wildebeest merge to follow the rains northward from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Often called the Great Migration, it's one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles on Earth - involving up to 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of other animals, including zebras and gazelles! In the Mara River, hungry crocodiles wait to snatch the wildebeest attempting to cross the river - eek!

Cheetahs

Cheetahs are usually found roaming the open, grassy savannah plains of Africa. They're the fastest land animal in the world and can chase after prey at speeds of up to 112kmph! Sadly, cheetahs are threatened by loss of habitat and prey, as well as conflict with humans. The good news is that conservationists are working hard to help these awesome animals.

DID YOU KNOW?
Savanna elephants are the world's largest land mammals!

Black rhinos

Black rhinos have special pointed lips that help them pluck leaves and fruit from the branches of bushes and trees. They can often be found lying in the shade to escape the hot savannah sun, or wallowing in a muddy water hole - the mud helps the rhinos cool off, and works as a natural sun lotion! Sadly, poaching saw the black rhino population drop by 98% between 1960 and 1995. Today, conservation efforts across Africa have helped bring this brilliant creature back from the brink of extinction - wahoo!

DID YOU KNOW?
When a predator kills an animal, vultures keep a look out and swoop down to gobble up any leftovers!

Planet protectors!

Climate change and poaching may threaten our savannahs, but there are tons of incredible people working hard to protect them and the awesome animals that live there...

Hi‐tech help

When a study revealed that Africa's savannah elephant population had decreased by a third, researchers at Cornell University in America came up with a new way to help. They used special equipment to record sounds the elephants made in the wild, then used AI (artificial intelligence) to help work out the best way to protect the beautiful beasts from poachers!

Park perfection

A conservation group, called African Parks, has taken a new approach to rescuing Africa's wild spaces. By providing all the resources to help parks, the group are in a better position to tackle poaching and other issues. They recently removed over 5,000 hunting snares from Liwonde National Park and have relocated 520 elephants!

Cool countries

Sadly, the number of giraffes in Africa has fallen by 40% in the last 30 years, due to poaching and habitat loss. But six African countries - the Central African Republic, Chad, Kenya, Niger, Mali, and Senegal - have pledged to do more to protect the long‐necked critters, and aim to stop giraffe meat and products being bought and sold. Great news!

How YOU can help!

Did you love learning about our planet's super savannahs? Do you feel inspired to help protect them? Here's how you can lend a hand without even leaving the house...

Club together!

Throw a savannah-themed joke-a-thon for your friends and family, in support of a wildlife charity that's working to protect this incredible habitat! Send them a funny joke every day for a week (or even a month!). It'll get them giggling for a good cause!

Save energy!

You can protect our amazing savannahs by helping to prevent climate change. Always turn off electrical items when you're not using them, switch to energy-saving lightbulbs, and try to recycle and reduce your food waste whenever you can. All these little things add up and will help make a difference!

Raise awareness!

Help raise awareness of the savannah animals that need our help by writing a story about them. Then, gather your family and read it to them - you can do this over the phone with friends and family who don't live with you. You could also consider adopting an endangered savannah animal, like the black rhino, through a wildlife charity, and inspire others to do the same!

MAKE A SAVANNAH MEMORY GAME!

Cut cardboard into 10 rectangles. Leave one side of the cards blank, and draw a cool creature on the other side - making two cards for each animal. Once you have five pairs of cards, mix them up and place them face down. Then flip over two cards at a time and try find the matching pairs!

Remember gang, if we all work together, these amazing habitats and the animals that live in them can get the protection they need.
Do you feel inspired to save our savannahs? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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Savannah habitat! | Sponsored by Persil - National Geographic Kids

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Discover what makes the world's great grasslands so awesome... Savannahs are among the largest ecosystems in the world. Plus, they're home to some of the planet's coolest members of the animal kingdom - from lions and leopards, to meerkats, hyenas and stripy zebras.

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Species List | Endangered, Vulnerable, and Threatened Animals | WWF

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WWF is committed to saving endangered species. Learn more about the species we are working to protecting from becoming endangered or extinct.

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Science for Kids: Savanna Grasslands Biome

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Kids learn about the savanna grasslands biome. This tropical ecosystem is full of large herbivores like zebras, giraffes, and wildebeests.

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Kids learn about the coral reef biome. Much of ocean life lives in this important aquatic ecosystem.

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Did you know that more wildlife lives around coral reefs than in any other part of the ocean? Find out more about these important ecosystems in our coral reef facts...
What are coral reefs?

When you look at a coral reef, you might think that you are seeing a group of colourful rocks. But don't be mistaken! Reefs are actually made out of living creatures called coral.

Where are coral reefs found?

Coral reefs can be found all over the world! However, most coral reefs grow in shallow, clean ocean waters on either side of the Equator, because they need sunlight and warm temperatures all year to survive.

Some famous coral reefs include the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Amazon Reef in Brazil and French Guiana, the Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines and the Miami Terrace Reef in the United States.

Quick facts about coral reefs...

- Coral have growth rings, just like trees!

- The first coral reefs formed on Earth 240 million years ago. That's before the dinosaurs were alive!

- Most coral reefs today are between 5,000 and 10,000 years old.

- There are more than 800 different types of hard coral around the world.

- The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system on Earth. You can even see it from space!

Life in coral reefs

Lots of different types of sea creatures call coral reefs their home - giant clams, starfish, sea turtles, , eels, cuttlefish and many, many more. The reefs provide this diverse range of animals with everything they need, including food and shelter.

A lot of animals who live on the reef camouflage themselves to blend amongst the coral, either to stay safe from other animals or to hide as they hunt.

Plants also live on reefs. Algae live inside soft coral, using sunlight to provide food and help the coral grow. In other areas, sea grass provides food for sea animals like dugongs and turtles.

Why are coral reefs endangered?

The biggest threats to coral reefs are spilling into the oceans, damage from ships and boats, and climate change, which makes the water warmer and more acidic.

Save our coral reefs!

To save our coral reefs, many people are working hard to clean up the pollution on land and in the sea. Some countries have even protected their coral reefs.

You can help save coral reefs too, by following some simple tips:

- Conserve your water use, by turning off taps when you brush your teeth!

- If you're lucky enough to go diving, look at the coral - but don't touch it! Touching coral can disturb it, and sometimes kill it.

- Spread the word and tell your friends about how they can help save the planet!

All images: Pixabay

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Coral reef facts for kids! - National Geographic Kids

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Learn about coral reefs in our coral reef facts for kids. What are coral reefs and where are they found? What lives inside coral reefs?

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Exploring the Coral Reef: Learn about Oceans for Kids - FreeSchool

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Introduction
A coral reef is a structure in shallow ocean areas that is formed mainly by stonelike coral skeletons. Corals are small marine animals that live in all oceans of the world. Some individual corals, called polyps, are colonial, which means they grow together in large groups called colonies. As they die, they leave behind their skeletons. Additional polyps live on these skeletons and die, over the years providing the main structural framework of the growing reef. The corals in effect build rock called limestone because their skeletons are made of calcium carbonate.

Coral reefs are important for several reasons. They create underwater habitats that are essential for many species of marine organisms. Certain species of fish, for example, spend their life among the corals, using them as a refuge from predators. Because coral reefs are home to such a spectacular variety of organisms, they are sometimes called the "rainforests of the sea." Coral reefs and the animals that live there have been important in various scientific research, including in the discovery of treatments for such diseases as cancer and arthritis. The fish and other marine life provide food for millions of people. Coral reefs draw thousands of recreational fishers, snorkelers, scuba divers, and other tourists each year, which contributes to the region's economy. In addition, coral reefs create barriers that protect the coasts from storm and wave erosion.

Structure of Coral Reefs
Reefs are composed of numerous different species of corals. The largest reefs are found in the warmer portions of the Pacific and Indian oceans. However, coral reefs are also found in the Caribbean and in the Gulf of Mexico. The northernmost coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico are off the coast of Texas. Corals that live in colder climates where water temperatures fall below about 70 °F (21 °C) for part of the year are solitary forms that do not form reefs.

Although some corals can live at depths of nearly 20,000 feet (6,000 meters), reef-building corals must live in relatively shallow ocean waters where light can penetrate. Reef-building corals grow best up to a depth of 36 feet (11 meters), but they can still construct reefs in water as deep as about 130 feet (40 meters). Few reef-building corals live below that depth. A shallow habitat is necessary because certain types of light-requiring algae known as zooxanthellae live within the tissues of the corals. With sunlight, the zooxanthellae change carbon dioxide and waste materials from the corals into oxygen and food substances that the corals use. This process is called photosynthesis.

Other marine organisms besides corals contribute to reefs. Fragments of many living things wash into or fall into the gaps between corals. These organisms include almost all shelly and calcareous (producing hard calcium carbonate) organisms, such as mollusks and echinoderms, as well as soft marine invertebrates, such as sea cucumbers. Algae and microscopic organisms called protozoans bind and cement everything together with sheetlike growth. Accumulations of sand and mud provide a habitat for sea grasses and mangroves, which also help trap and stabilize sediment.

A coral reef may grow into a permanent coral island. Coral islands consist of low land perhaps only several feet (a few meters) above sea level, generally with coconut palms and surrounded by white coral sand beaches. These islands vary in size. The largest island of coral formation is Kiritimati (Christmas) Atoll in the west-central Pacific Ocean. It has a circumference of about 100 miles (160 kilometers).

Types of Coral Reefs
There are three main kinds of coral reefs-barrier reefs, fringing reefs, and atolls. Barrier reefs lie parallel to the coastline but may be some distance from it. The reef and the land are separated by a shallow lagoon, or channel, often about 160 feet (50 meters) deep. The lagoon between the Great Barrier Reef and the northeastern coast of Australia varies from 10 to 100 miles (16 to 160 kilometers) in width. Most of a coral reef is submerged, but some parts may be above the ocean's surface forming small islands that may support vegetation and animal life.

Fringing reefs also follow the coastline, but they extend up to the beach at some points. Atolls have no relationship to any visible land. They are circular in form, surrounding a central lagoon of calm water. Atolls are often associated with the rims of extinct underwater volcanoes. Bikini in the central Pacific Ocean is a well-known atoll that the United States used in nuclear weapons testing in the 1940s and '50s.

Threats to Coral Reefs
A number of forces threaten the survival of coral reef organisms, as well as the structural integrity of the reefs themselves. Predatory species is one problem. Certain fish and invertebrates, such as the crown-of-thorns starfish ( Acanthaster planci), feed on the soft tissues of corals. Groups of these large sea stars can decimate a coral reef. Coral-rock borers include some algae, sponges, worms, and many bivalves (animals that have a shell consisting of two halves). These organisms penetrate the rock mechanically or chemically, causing extensive damage.

A phenomenon known as bleaching has caused extensive devastation among coral reefs since the 1980s. During a bleaching event, corals eject the zooxanthellae algae that provide the corals with food. Without the zooxanthellae the corals turn white, and, if conditions do not improve so that the zooxanthellae return, the corals die. Bleaching is thought to be caused by rising water temperatures as a result of global warming. However, other factors also are linked to coral bleaching. These include exposure to ultraviolet radiation and increased levels of sedimentation (solid particles) in seawater.

In addition, pollution and various human activities plague coral reefs. Coral reefs are often major tourist attractions. Visitors sometimes touch corals and disturb the other animals that live there, interfering with the community dynamics of the reef system. Since coral reefs harbor many species of fish and other sea life, local and commercial fishing can overharvest them. Fishers may use dragnets and explosives to catch reef animals, and their boats or anchors may crash into the reefs. Such practices break up sections of the reef, destroying the corals and the habitats they provide.

Various governments fund programs to protect the oceans and marine inhabitants in general and coral reefs in particular. In addition, many conservation groups work to preserve the beauty and health of coral reefs.

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A coral reef is a structure in shallow ocean areas that is formed mainly by stonelike coral skeletons. Corals are small marine animals that live in all oceans of the world....