Brain Coral Christmas

From the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):

Christmas tree worms have made their home on a brain coral. Tropical corals reefs are complex ecosystems.

Corals are actually animals that grow in colonies, forming reefs over time as old corals die and young corals grow upon the calcium carbonate or limestone skeletons of the old corals. Coral reefs make up some of the most biologically diverse habitats on Earth, and face many threats such as coastal pollution, dredging and disease. However, some of their most widespread threats involve warming ocean temperatures, solar radiation and increased ocean acidification.

Further information on coral reef ecosystem studies can be found here:

http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/crest/

http://coralreefs.wr.usgs.gov/

Location: Belize

Date Taken: Jun 7, 2009

Photographer: Christina Kellogg, USGS