The Little Reef Builders

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146.00E15.00S
NAT

GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA
	Consider the Mad\re\por\ar\ia, a small marine animal with big ambitions and a lot of patience.
	During its lifetime, the Mad\re\por\ar\ia secretes a skeleton of lime which is anchored to the sea floor.  Over the years, the skeletons of these Madreporaria can build up into huge reefs, the largest of which is the Great Barrier Reef along the continental shelf on the north side of Australia.
	The Great Barrier Reef is from 20 to 70 miles from the shore and stretches from New Guinea down the east side of Australia, about 1,250 miles.
	The growing face of the reef is a riot of color and animal life.  Bright tropical fish, sea-urchins, giant clams, star fish and oysters inhabit it.
	Some of the coral forms circles which fill up with sand and become cays, which then become homes to many types of salt-resistant plants and sea birds.