Do coral reefs remove carbon from the atmosphere?

Coral reefs do not directly remove carbon from the atmosphere like forests or other carbon sinks; however, they play a significant role in the carbon cycle. Corals absorb carbon dioxide during the process of calcification, where they use dissolved carbon to build their calcium carbonate skeletons. This process can help sequester carbon in the ocean, but the overall impact on atmospheric carbon is limited compared to other ecosystems. Additionally, the health of coral reefs is threatened by climate change, which can reduce their ability to sequester carbon effectively.