Corals are microscopic living organisms that form limestone structures, called reefs, over time. These reefs are important to marine ecosystems because they provide a habitat and food source for a wide variety of animal species such as fish, mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins, sponges, turtles and many others.
At the end of their life, corals break up under the action of wind, water and temperature to form sand. This is how white sand beaches are born, such as the beach of Salines, and black sand, such as at Anse Couleuvre. These sandy beaches are also nesting sites for the three species of marine turtles that can be observed in Martinique: the leatherback turtle, the hawksbill turtle and the green turtle.
It is important to note that marine ecosystems are closely linked to the terrestrial environment. The rivers of Martinique are connected with the marine environment because of the steep slopes and the proximity between the sources and the mouths of the rivers. Freshwater fish and macro-crustaceans spend part of their lives at sea. Thus, the good condition of the rivers is essential to the good health of the species and marine ecosystems of Martinique.
