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Many mushroom shaped projections, such as this one, occur naturally at the Flower Gardens, and other coral reefs. This is a natural process called bioerosion, where reef organisms (sponges, etc.) slowly remove the reef rock underneath living coral. This brain coral (Diploria strigosa) head will eventually be toppled, providing new substrate. This area will be colonized with algae, sponges, and hopefully new coral recruits. (photo: Frank and Joyce Burek)

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