Scientists fear that many coral reefs are in danger. Many reefs have had a problem called bleaching. This occurs when the zooxanthellae, the algae that live in polyps, die off and the reef changes color. Then the coral polyps die. No one knows what causes bleaching.A starfish called the Crown of Thorns starfish is also a threat to reefs. Sometimes too many of these starfish suddenly show up on a reef. The starfish kill the coral. No one knows why there are so many starfish.
Pollution is also a threat to coral reefs. Conservationists and governments are working to protect the Great Barrier Reef and other coral reefs.
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