![]() ![]() During the feeding process they grind up coral rock and ingest it. They play an important role in making the coral reef grow because the algae they feed on would otherwise smother the coral. ![]() They have many teeth that form a parrot-like beak with which they scrape off algae and a variety of reef organisms and pieces of coral from the reef. This fish species (there are about 90 species of parrotfish worldwide, known collectively as Scaridae) is named for their dentition. One such marine species that significantly contributes to bioerosion is the parrotfish. Bioerosion is the breaking down of the reef structure into sediment by various marine animals. Mechanical erosion is mainly waves and currents that erode the reef and break it down. These two processes create some of the sand for Hawaii's beaches. ![]() The reef breaks down into sand by two main factors – mechanical erosion and bioerosion. Many other species, such as sponges and other algae, live on the coral reef that are part of this ecosystem. This algae grows on the coral heads and also uses calcium carbonate in the reef building process. Coralline plants, or calcareous algae, also contribute to a coral reef's growth. A collection of matured hard coral is called a coral colony. It has a hard shell that is composed of calcium carbonate, which it extracts from the substances of the ocean. A coral is a tiny animal referred to as a polyp. The coral reef is built by marine animals, such as corals, and plants, such as algae, that live on the reefs.Ĭorals are the main contributor to a reef's growth. The Hawaiian islands are surrounded by an extensive coral reef, which continuously grows as well as breaks down. ![]()
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