coral reef€¦ · coral is an animal related to jellyfish, hydra & sea anemones produce an...
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CORAL
REEF
CHARACTERISTICS
WARM (680F average water temp.)
SHALLOW (LIGHT PENETRATES)
TROPICAL WATER (NEAR EQUATOR)
HIGH BIODIVERSITY
VERY LARGE NUMBER OF
SPECIES, NICKNAMED THE
“RAINFOREST OF THE SEA”
CORAL IS AN ANIMAL
RELATED TO JELLYFISH,
HYDRA & SEA ANEMONES
PRODUCE AN EXOSKELETON
OF CALCIUM
EACH INDIVIDUAL IS CALLED A
POLYP
_______ BUILD __________ WHICH BUILD ______. POLYPS COLONIES REEFS
1. BARRIER REEF REEF IS FOUND OFFSHORE OF MAINLAND
SHALLOW LAGOON BETWEEN THE
CORAL REEF & LAND
EX: GREAT BARRIER REEF IN AUSTRALIA
LA
ND
RE
EF
LA
GO
ON
1. FRINGING REEF REEF FORMS ON OR CLOSE TO LAND
MOST COMMON REEF
EX: CARIBBEAN ISLANDS, FLORIDA KEYS
LA
ND
RE
EF
OC
EA
N
3. ATOLL REEF •RING-SHAPED REEF
EX: FOUND IN BELIZE
& BIKINI ATOLL
•FORMS AROUND A
SUNKEN VOLCANO
OCEAN
ADAPTATIONS PLANTS: VERY FEW PLANTS IN THE REEF
ENVIRONMENT
ALGAE LIVING IN CORAL POLYPS ARE
THE MAIN PRODUCERS
ADAPTATIONS CORAL POLYPS:
CORAL POLYPS HAVE A MUTUALISTIC
RELATIONSHIP WITH ZOOXANTHELLAE
ALGAE (ZOO-ZAN-THEL-E)
THE ALGAE PRODUCE FOOD FOR THE
CORAL POLYPS DURING THE DAY AND
THE CORAL POLYPS PROVIDE A HOME
ADAPTATIONS CORAL FEEDING:
CORAL POLYPS
FEED AT NIGHT ON
PLANKTON USING
THEIR TENTACLES
& STINGING CELLS
THE REEF CREATES A HABITAT FOR 1000’S OF SPECIES
•MANY HOLES & CREVICES FOR HIDING
•MANY ORGANISMS EAT CORAL POLYPS
•SOME FISH ARE ACTIVE DURING THE DAY
OTHERS AT NIGHT BECAUSE SPACE AND
RESOURCES ARE VERY LIMITED
THE REEF CREATES A HABITAT FOR 1000’S OF SPECIES
•MANY FISH ARE BRIGHTLY COLORED:
- ATTRACT A MATE
- CAMOUFLAGE
- CONFUSE
PREDATORS
ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS
1. OVERFISHING & COLLECTION OF
CORAL & ORGANISMS FOR
SHELLS OR PET TRADE
2. MANY FISH ARE CAUGHT USING
CYANIDE WHICH KILLS THE CORAL
& DAMAGES THE FISH’S ORGANS
Coral Bleaching video – 3min
CORAL BLEACHING PROCESS
3. CORAL ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO
CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE, POLLUTION
AND SALINITY. WHEN CORALS BECOME
STRESSED THEY RELEASE THE ALGAE
INSIDE & APPEAR WHITE. THIS PROCESS
IS CALLED “CORAL BLEACHING”.
WITHOUT THE ALGAE, THE CORALS WILL
STARVE TO DEATH. AND, WITHOUT THE
CORALS THE “REEF” WILL DIE OUT.
SUMMARY
1. The Coral Reef is an important
environment for many species.
2. Coral is very sensitive to changes
in its environment.
3. Reefs are found throughout the
world in tropical areas
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