### Question
How does the law define coral reef ecosystem?


### Answer
Under *16 U.S.C. § 6409*, **coral reef ecosystem** is defined as:

> coral and other species of reef organisms (including reef plants) associated with coral reefs, and the nonliving environmental factors that directly affect coral reefs, that together function as an ecological unit in nature

#### Citation:
  - *16 U.S.C. § 6409*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 83-CORAL REEF CONSERVATION**

