Coral vs. Reef — What's the Difference?

Individual coral units.

Circular reef surrounding a lagoon.

Symbiotic algae.

Directly attached to a shore.

Coral's protective structure.

Separated from a mainland.

Loss of algae.

Benefits to humans.

Variety of species.

High species diversity.

Corals are marine invertebrates within the class Anthozoa of the phylum Cnidaria. They typically form compact colonies of many identical individual polyps.

A reef is a ridge or shoal of rock, coral or similar relatively stable material, lying beneath the surface of a natural body of water. Many reefs result from natural, abiotic processes—deposition of sand, wave erosion planing down rock outcrops, etc.—but there are also reefs such as the coral reefs of tropical waters formed by biotic processes dominated by corals and coralline algae, and artificial reefs such as shipwrecks and other anthropogenic underwater structures may occur intentionally or as the result of an accident, and sometimes have a designed role in enhancing the physical complexity of featureless sand bottoms, to attract a more diverse assemblage of organisms.

A hard stony substance secreted by certain marine coelenterates as an external skeleton, typically forming large reefs in warm seas

A strip or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water.

A sedentary coelenterate of warm and tropical seas, with a calcareous, horny, or soft skeleton. Most corals are colonial and many rely on the presence of green algae in their tissues to obtain energy from sunlight.

A vein of ore.

The unfertilized roe of a lobster or scallop, which is used as food and becomes reddish when cooked

Chiefly Western US A long craggy ridge or rocky escarpment.

A rocklike deposit consisting of the calcareous skeletons secreted by various marine invertebrates, chiefly anthozoans. Coral deposits often accumulate to form reefs or islands in warm seas.

A portion of a sail gathered in and secured to lessen the area exposed to the wind.

A polyp or colony of polyps of any of the numerous anthozoans that secrete a hard or flexible skeleton, especially the reef-building hard corals.

To reduce the size of (a sail) by gathering in a part and securing it, as by lashing it to a yard.

A polyp or colony of polyps of any of various hydrozoans that secrete hard skeletons, such as the fire corals.

To shorten (a topmast or bowsprit) by taking part of it in.

The hard skeleton of various corals, especially of red corals of the genus Corallium, used to make jewelry and ornaments.

A chain or range of rocks, sand, or coral lying at or near the surface of the water.

An object made of this material.

A large vein of auriferous quartz; hence, any body of rock yielding valuable ore.

A deep or strong pink to moderate red or reddish orange.

(nautical) A portion of a sail rolled and tied down to lessen the area exposed in a high wind.

The unfertilized eggs of a female lobster, which turn a reddish color when cooked.

A reef knot.

Of a deep or strong pink to moderate red or reddish orange.

The itch; any eruptive skin disorder.

(countable) Any of many species of marine invertebrates in the class Anthozoa, most of which build hard calcium carbonate skeletons and form colonies, or a colony belonging to one of those species.

Dandruff.

(uncountable) A hard substance made of the skeletons of these organisms.

(nautical) To take in part of a sail in order to adapt the size of the sail to the force of the wind.

(countable) A somewhat yellowish orange-pink colour; the colour of red coral (Corallium rubrum) of the Mediterranean Sea, commonly used as an ornament or gem.

(Australian) To pull or yank strongly, especially in relation to horse riding.

The ovaries of a cooked lobster; so called from their colour.

To move the floats of a paddle wheel toward its center so that they will not dip so deeply.

(historical) A piece of coral, usually fitted with small bells and other appurtenances, used by children as a plaything.

(slang) To manipulate the lining of a person's pocket in order to steal the contents unnoticed.

Made of coral.

Scabby; scurvy.

Having the orange-pink colour of coral.

A chain or range of rocks lying at or near the surface of the water. See Coral reefs, under Coral.

The hard parts or skeleton of various Anthozoa, and of a few Hydrozoa. Similar structures are also formed by some Bryozoa.

A large vein of auriferous quartz; - so called in Australia. Hence, any body of rock yielding valuable ore.

The ovaries of a cooked lobster; - so called from their color.

That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the sail to the force of the wind.

A piece of coral, usually fitted with small bells and other appurtenances, used by children as a plaything.

To reduce the extent of (as a sail) by rolling or folding a certain portion of it and making it fast to the yard or spar.

A variable color averaging a deep pink

A submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water

The hard stony skeleton of a Mediterranean coral that has a delicate red or pink color and is used for jewelry

A rocky region in the southern Transvaal in northeastern South Africa; contains rich gold deposits and coal and manganese

Unfertilized lobster roe; reddens in cooking; used as garnish or to color sauces

Lower and bring partially inboard;

Marine colonial polyp characterized by a calcareous skeleton; masses in a variety of shapes often forming reefs

Roll up (a portion of a sail) in order to reduce its area

Of a strong pink to yellowish-pink color

Reduce (a sail) by taking in a reef

Corals contribute to reef formation by secreting calcium carbonate skeletons that accumulate over time, alongside other calcifying organisms.

Zooxanthellae are symbiotic algae that provide corals with essential nutrients through photosynthesis, crucial for their growth and color.

Coral refers to marine invertebrates that form colonies of many identical individual polyps, secreting calcium carbonate to create their skeletons.

A reef is a large underwater structure made from the skeletal remains of corals and other marine organisms, offering diverse habitats for marine life.

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon where corals lose their symbiotic algae due to stress, resulting in a white appearance and reduced health.

Reefs are vital for marine ecosystems as they provide habitat, food, and breeding grounds for a wide range of marine species, enhancing biodiversity.

The main types of reefs include barrier, fringing, and atoll reefs, each with unique characteristics and formations.

Coral coloration, often due to zooxanthellae, indicates health and is vital for the absorption of light needed for photosynthesis.

Environmental changes like warming waters and ocean acidification stress corals, leading to bleaching and reef degradation, impacting marine biodiversity.

Coral diversity increases the structural complexity of reefs, supporting a wider range of habitats and species, thus enhancing ecosystem resilience.

Coral reefs benefit humans by providing food, protecting coastlines, supporting tourism, and offering opportunities for scientific research.

Corals reproduce both, through spawning events where eggs and sperm are released into the water, and via budding or fragmentation.

Coral reefs can recover from mild bleaching if conditions improve and stressors are removed, but repeated or severe bleaching can lead to permanent damage.

Protecting coral reefs involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions, implementing sustainable fishing practices, and managing coastal development.

Coral reefs face challenges from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and destructive fishing practices, threatening their survival.