ascinating process that involves various stages and a multitude of marine species.</div><div style="clear: both"><br /></div><div style="clear: both">Stage 1: Colonization The journey of an eco reef begins with a <a href="https://www.ecoreefproject.com/what%20is%20terraforming.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hard substrate</a>, such as a rock or a coral skeleton, which provides a surface for the colonization of organisms. Tiny coral larvae, known as planulae, attach themselves to the substrate and metamorphose into polyps. These polyps then start building a calcium carbonate skeleton, marking the birth of a new coral colony.</div><div style="clear: both"><br /></div><div style="clear: both">Stage 2: Growth Over time, the coral colony grows by budding new polyps. The growth rate of a coral colony depends on various factors such as water temperature, light availability, and nutrient levels. As the colony expands, it provides shelter and food for a variety of marine organisms, enhancing the <a href="https://www.ecoreefproject.com/what%20is%20terraforming.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">biodiversity of the reef</a>.</div><div style="clear: both"><br /></div><div style="clear: both">Stage 3: Maturation As the reef matures, it becomes a bustling metropolis of marine life.