Corall

Corall is a term occasionally used to refer to coral-related topics. In this article, Corall denotes the colonial marine invertebrates that form coral reefs, as well as their broader biological and ecological significance.

Corals are cnidarian animals in the class Anthozoa, most commonly belonging to the order Scleractinia. Many species are colonial, consisting of interconnected polyps that secrete calcium carbonate skeletons, collectively building reef structures that provide habitat for diverse marine life.

They inhabit warm, sunlit waters of the tropics and subtropics, typically at shallow depths where light supports photosynthesis by symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae. Reefs serve as crucial biodiversity hotspots and help protect coastlines from erosion and storm surge.

Corals face multiple threats. Climate change drives ocean warming and acidification, leading to bleaching and skeletal dissolution. Additional pressures include overfishing, destructive fishing practices, pollution, and coastal development, which reduce reef resilience and extent.

Humans use corals in various ways. Precious red corals from the genus Corallium have long been used in jewelry. Corals also support tourism, fisheries, and biomedical research, while restoration projects aim to recover degraded reef systems through techniques such as coral gardening and assisted propagation.

Etymology and nomenclature: The word coral derives from Latin corallum, with roots in Greek korallos. In several languages, cognate terms such as coral, corail, or Koralle reflect the same origin. The form Corall appears as a variant or proper noun in some contexts.