The Great Barrier Reef consists of approximately 2,900 separate coral reefs Photo: GBRMPA

The Great Barrier Reef consists of approximately 2,900 separate coral reefs. Generally situated in clear, warm, shallow waters, coral reefs contain an incredibly high diversity of organisms. Explore the following sections that introduce some of the main players and processes that are significant to the Great Barrier Reef. For information on larger animals of the reef go to the Wildlife section.

Coral reefs and corals

• How does a coral reef form?
• What is the Great Barrier Reef?
• What is a coral?
• Types of corals
• How do corals reproduce?
• How do corals grow?
• Soft corals
• Coral bleaching
• Coral disease
• Crown-of-thorns starfish

Reef fish

• Reef fish classification
• Colours - mimicry - camouflage
• Reproduction
• Feeding reef fish
• Coral Trout
• Red throat emporer
• Bommie cod
• Red bass
• Snappers

Plants

• Seagrasses
• Seagrass-Watch
• Identifying seagrasses
• Seagrass adventure
• Reef algae (seaweed)

Research on and in between reefs

• Monitoring reef ecosystem health
• CRC Reef Fishing and Fisheries Project
• Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Project