Coral reef to form fringing reefs, and can eventually grow become a barrier reef. Where the bottom is rising, fringing reefs can grow around the coast, but coral raised above sea level dies. If the land subsides slowly, the fringing reefs keep pace by growing upwards on a base of older, dead coral, forming a barrier reef enclosing a lagoon between the reef and the land. A barrier reef can encircle an island, and once the island sinks below sea level a roughly circular atoll of growing coral continues to keep up with the sea level, forming a central lagoon. Barrier reefs
Réunion's coral reef for coral at Réunion is between 23 °C and 28 °C. Increased surface water temperature related to global warming can contribute to disease and bleaching of coral reefs, as is apparent on Réunion. Natural cyclones and anthropogenic disturbances such as urban development of catchment areas affect the reefs of Réunion. These ecological disturbances have led to an increase in coral reef nutrient levels via submarine groundwater discharge. Increased nutrient levels have resulted in the modification of flora and fauna in the benthic zone. The coral reef is a natural barrier that protects the coast from typhoons. The least vulnerable sectors