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Plants

Zooxanthellae : Photo: Scott Santos

Zooxanthellae algae-Of course there are many other types of algae in coral reefs, but zooxanthellae algae is the most important for coral because when it pairs up with coral polyps, it provides the coral with 98% of its dietary needs. Because of this, coral reefs do not grow where there is no sunlight and zooxanthellae algae cannot survive. Zooxanthellae algae also provides coral with much of its color.

Starfish in Sea Grass Photo by Len McKenzie,

Sea Grasses- There are some 60 species of species of sea grass in the world and 15 on the Great Barrier Reef. Sea grasses actually have true roots and flowers. They are the only flowering plants of the sea and are an important food source for dugongs and sea turtles. Sea grasses provide habitat for commercially important prawns and fish and stabilize sediment helping to keep the water clear.