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