Summary
A living coral reef is a complex ecosystem teeming with vastly more species than the corals. 95% of the habitat on the reef is not coral, but sediment and sand, hotspots of hidden biodiversity. So, what happens to this cornucopia of life when subjected to extreme temperature stress?
The Barrier Reef presents as patches and lines of reef, interspersed with a great deal of sand. These sediment and sand communities are not barren. They're hotspots for crustaceans and worms, feeding grounds for many fish. They are very likely to be hit hard by the heat.
