Discover published sets by community

Process by which nutrients are recycled in the ecosystem; vital for supporting food webs and productivity.

Play a role in bioerosion by scraping and digesting dead coral; their excretions help create sandy beaches.

Provide a home and protection to clownfish and certain crab species; contribute to biodiversity.

Foundation of coral reefs built by polyps; provide physical structure for habitat and protect coastlines from waves and storms.

Important for carbon sequestration; stabilize the seabed and support a variety of marine life.

Remove parasites and dead tissue from reef organisms; promote health and prevent disease outbreaks.

A predator of coral that can cause coral degradation if outbreaks occur; part of the natural balance but problematic in excess.

Filter feeders that clean water; provide habitat for small organisms and recycle nutrients.

Serve as food for a variety of reef species; provide shelter and nursery grounds.

Regulate species below them in the food chain; indicators of reef health.

Serve as nurseries for juvenile reef fish; protect against coastal erosion and filter water.

The breakdown of hard ocean substrates by living organisms; important for creating new substrate for colonization.

Symbiotic algae that provide energy to coral polyps through photosynthesis; help in coral growth and coloration.

Apex predators that control fish populations and maintain balance in the reef ecosystem.

Occurs when corals expel symbiotic algae due to stress, which can lead to coral death; indicator of environmental changes.

Control algae growth on reefs; aid in keeping coral populations healthy.

Indicator species for monitoring reef health; predate on sponges, contributing to the balance of species.

Build the reef structure by secreting calcium carbonate; provide habitat for other marine species.

Serve as a food source for higher trophic levels; keep the reef clean by scavenging.