Plants
Marine Plants:
There are not many different plants that grow around the Great Barrier Reef because the underwater habitat makes it difficult for most plants to thrive. The plants that do grow along the collection of coral reefs are different types of algae (like seaweed), sea grasses, sea lettuce, etc.
Algae:
One of the most important plants in the Great Barrier Reef is a type of algae called crustose coralline algae. It forms a symbiotic relationship with coral. The algae helps the coral reef grow by releasing a sediment that acts as a sort of glue to hold together the layers of limestone.
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Mangrove Plants:
Another very important species of plant to the Great Barrier Reef are mangrove plants. Although they do not live underneath the surface of the water completely, mangrove plants grow along the shores near the Great Barrier Reef and help stabalize the shoreline. There roots are also very important because they filter the waters around the coral reefs by removing the pollutants. There are around 80 different species of mangrove around the world, half of which are present along the coastline of Australia.
