Updated by: Arabinda Naik
A fringing reef is a coral reef that grows directly from the shore without any intervening lagoon. They are the most common type of coral reef, found in clear, shallow waters around the world.
Fringing coral reefFringing reefs are formed when coral polyps, tiny animals that secrete calcium carbonate, attach themselves to a hard surface, such as a rock or a dead coral colony. As the polyps grow and reproduce, they build up a reef that extends outwards from the shore.
Fringing reefs can be very narrow, only a few meters wide, or they can be quite extensive, stretching for hundreds of kilometres. They are typically found in shallow water, less than 20 meters deep.
Fringing reefs are home to a wide variety of marine life, including fish, coral, algae, and invertebrates. They provide food and shelter for many species, and they play an important role in protecting coastlines from erosion.
Fringing reefs are threatened by several human activities, including pollution, sedimentation, and overfishing. Climate change is also a major threat, as it is causing the ocean to warm and become more acidic, which can kill coral polyps.