WebQuest Home Introduction Friends and Family My Home My Biome The Problem The Solution Write to me! Ashby77@cortland.edu Dombro36@cortland.edu Abbate67@cortland.edu	My Biome! Coral reefs are generally found in clear, tropical oceans. Coral reefs form in waters from the surface to about 150 feet deep because they need sunlight to survive.  Sunlgiht is the coral reef's source of energy.  Coral reefs need water that is between 68-82° F, which is often located along the eastern shores of land. Reefs usually develop in areas that have a lot of wave action because the waves bring in food, nutrients and oxygen to the reef. Coral reef ecosystems are important for many reasons. They remove and recycle carbon dioxide, protect land from harsh weather, and  provide food. Where I live, corals make up the various reefs and cays.  Corals are plants that consists of individual coral polyps.  The ideal environment for coral is shallow warm water where there is a lot of water movement, plenty of light, where the water is salty and low in nutrients. The Great Barrier Reef area is abundant  with various wildlife, including dugong and green turtles, varieties of dolphins and whales, more than 1500 species of fish, 4000 types of mollusc and more than 200 species of birdlife.