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 B/W THE 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: CARRIBEAN 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

ATOLL REEF FORMATION

~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

VOLCANO

SINKS

VOLCANO

REEF

GROWS

ADAPTATIONS PLANTS: VERY FEW PLANTS IN THE REEF ENVIRONMENT

ALGAE LIVING IN CORAL POLYPS ARE MAIN

PRODUCERS

ADAPTATIONS CORAL POLYPS:

CORAL POLYPS HAVE A SYMBIOTIC

RELATIONSHIP WITH ALGAE CALLED

ZOOXANTHELLAE ALGAE

THE ALGAE PRODUCE FOOD FOR THE

CORAL POLYPS DURING THE DAY

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

•PROVIDE HOLES & CREVICES FOR HIDING

•MANY ORGANISMS EAT THE CORAL POLYPS

•MANY FISH ARE BRIGHTLY COLORED:

- ATTRACT A MATE

- CAMOUFLAGE

- CONFUSE PREDATORS

•FISH LIVE IN SHIFTS – DAY SHIFT & NIGHT SHIFT

- SPACE & RESOURCES ARE VERY LIMITED

ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

1. OVERFISHING & COLLECTION OF

CORAL & ORGANISMS FOR

SHELLS OR PET SHOP TRADE

2. MANY FISH ARE CAUGHT USING

CYANIDE WHICH KILLS THE CORAL

& DAMAGES THE FISH’S ORGANS

Coral Bleaching video – 3min

ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

3. CORAL ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO

CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE, POLLUTION

OR 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