  
Shelter Under The Sea: Coral Reefs
 Corals are
creatures which live in the deep regions of tropical waters.
Reefs, where many creatures live together, are formed from
the limestone skeletons of dead corals cemented together by
the action of coralline algae. Reefs can extend over very
broad areas. Scientists compare reefs to tropical rainforests
because, like rainforests, they are centers of diversity.
The coral reefs are home to more than 2,000 species of fish,
5,000 species of mollusks, 700 species of corals and countless
other forms of crabs, sea urchins, brittle stars, sea cucumbers
and worms of different groups.
Polyps are small marine animals which live in coral reefs.
Many coral polyps have symbiotic algae that live inside them.
Algae contain chlorophyll and therefore, they can photosynthesize.
Algae are rich in oxygen but poor in nutrients. Like all other
plants, algae, too, need nitrates and phosphates. That is
why it is so important for these creatures to live together.
Unable to live on their own, they survive by making use of
one another.
The polyp provides food to the algae with its waste products.
The algae store the waste products as ammonia and then break
them down into nitrogen phosphorus, which is then used for
energy. The polyp also provides shelter for the algae by protecting
it against predators. In return, the algae provide food to
the polyps through photosynthesis. Thus, polyps obtain the
energy they need to construct their limestone skeleton.
As in all other creatures that lead a symbiotic life, all
the needs of both creatures, in the symbiotic life between
polyp and algae, are met in the easiest way. It is apparent
that Who has joined these two creatures together is a sole
Creator Who is aware of the needs of them both. These creatures
have been created by Allah in a way in which they complement
each other and meet each other's needs.
Allah introduces us to His endless artistry and boundless
knowledge through the various creatures He has created under
the sea and the matchless designs and amazing characteristics
of them all. Allah reminds us of this in the Qur'an:
And also the things of varying colors
He has created for you in the earth. There is certainly
a Sign in that for people who pay heed. It is He who made
the sea subservient to you so that you can eat fresh flesh
from it and bring out from it ornaments to wear. And you
see the ships cleaving through it so that you can seek His
bounty, and so that hopefully you will show thanks. (Surat
an-Nahl: 13-14)
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