About Corals

The Australian Institute of Marine Science(AIMS) is committed to the protection and sustainable use of Australia's marine resources. Its research programs support the management of tropical marine environments around the world, with a primary focus on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the pristine Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia and northwest Australia. Corals are core building blocks for these diverse marine ecosystems and form a fundamental component of AIMS research to preserve and discover these wonderful marine invertebrates. The information below authored by Dr. J.E.N Veron former Chief Scientist at AIMS provides a more detailed look at corals and the challenges they face.

Classification

The term ‘coral’ is commonly used for both ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ corals
Bleaching

Bleaching is a symptom of stress in coral and/or the coral’s zooxanthellae.
Reefs

The term ‘reef’ can have a wide range of meanings,
Distribution

Patterns and hotspots of diversity.
Taxonomy

Background, variation and taxonomic issues. corals
Structure

Structure and growth of corals

Evolution

A history of corals
Reproduction

The reproductive ways of corals
Environments

Environments that affect Corals