Correct Answer - Option 2 : Tropical rain forest
The correct answer is Tropical rain forest.
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Coral reefs are the colonies of tiny living creatures that are found in oceans.
- They are the underwater structures that are formed of coral polyps that are held together by calcium carbonate.
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Coral reefs are also regarded as the tropical rainforest of the sea and occupy just 0.1% of the ocean’s surface but are home to 25% of marine species.
- They are usually found in shallow areas at a depth less than 150 feet. However, some coral reefs extend even deeper, up to about 450 feet.
Types of Coral Reefs:
Coral Reefs are differentiated into three categories based on their shape, nature and mode of occurrence.
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Fringing Reef: The coral reefs that are found very close to the land and forms a shallow lagoon known as Boat Channel are called Fringing Coral Reefs.
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Barrier Reef: Barrier Reefs are considered the largest, highest and widest reefs among the three coral reefs. They develop off the coast and parallel to the shore as a broken and irregular ring.
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Atolls: An atoll can be defined as a reef that is roughly circular and surrounds a large central lagoon. This lagoon is mostly deep having a depth of 80-150 metres.
Coral Reefs in India:
- Palk Bay
- The Gulf of Mannar
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- The Gulf of Kutch
- Lakshadweep Islands