Horn Coral & Horn Coral Invert

Coral reefs are “rainforests of the sea” and are the most diverse ecosystems on our planet. Coral reefs support 25 percent of ALL marine life. Coral reefs also protect coastlines from storms and erosion, they provide jobs and recreation, and are a source of food and nutrition. Most of us will never see a coral reef, let alone swim around one, but you need them just like they need you to survive.There are 80 countries in the world with coral reefs.

Unfortunately, coral reefs around the world are threatened by many factors that may include climate change, but due to unsustainable fishing practices, coastal development, and pollution we have lost 30 to 50 percent of tropical coral reefs since the 1980s.

Top: This image of a fossil horn coral of the order Rugosa, which first appeared 488 million years ago and persisted through to 251 million years ago.The image is a layering of conventional transmitted light and rendering warm colors, and circularly polarized light and rendering cool colors of crystalline material embedded within the fossil.

Bottom: The color model used on the lefthand image have been reversed.

The artist's laboratory is the ONLY facility in the world specifically configured with the unique collection of high technology instruments necessary for carrying out unbiased research on the causes ofdeclines in coral reef health and biodiversity.Studies of the structures of corals are only one aspect of such integrative research.

Original width 8.24 mm