Life in a Coral Reef

Coral reefs are vibrant, dynamic biomes, and this entry in the Biomes Alive! series reflects their splendor. Brightly colored photos and backgrounds join a host of clearly explained facts, beginning with how reefs form—when tube-shaped coral polyps grow hard skeletons and attach to those of dead coral. Attention is given to types of reefs and the tropical climate they need to grow. The book also focuses on the coral reef’s place in the food chain and how it serves as a home to plants and animals, such as mangroves and clown fish. Although the terms camouflage and symbiosis are not mentioned directly, these concepts are described in relation to animals that live around coral reefs. A visual overview of the Great Barrier Reef and a glossary conclude