A coral reef is defined as an ocean reef comprised of skeletons of living coral combined with minerals and organic matter. Coral reefs are found in many parts of the world and are home to many different species of marine life. Coral reef of the south pacific encompass a very large area of ocean. It general includes areas between the Philippines, East Indonesia, and New Guinea.
There are three different types of coral reefs and all of them are found in the south pacific. There are Atolls which are circular reefs located in large deep lagoons and the indo-pacific region has over 300 of these types of reefs. There are barrier reefs which run parallel to an ocean shore and are separated by wide lagoons and there are fringing reefs which are found close to the shore in shallow water containing no lagoon usually surrounding south pacific islands. The coral reefs in the south pacific are home to over 700 different species of coral as well as 3000 species of fish and countless other types of marine life.
Coral reefs are very important to humans as a means of economic value. Tourism and recreation when done respectivbley can bing in alot of dollars as well as fishing. Another thing that coral reefs do is protect the coastline from deterioration.
