Coral Reefs of Costa Rica

Coral Reefs of Costa Rica

How Pollution Affects the Coral ReefsHow Pollution Affects the Coral Reefs

Costa Rican Coral ReefsCosta Rican Coral Reefs

What is a coral?What is a coral?

-A “coral” is actually a “coral colony”

-Rocky limestone base

-Surface is covered by thousands of tiny coral animals, called “polyps”

-Polyps are filled with microscopic algae

-A “coral” is actually a “coral colony”

-Rocky limestone base

-Surface is covered by thousands of tiny coral animals, called “polyps”

-Polyps are filled with microscopic algae

Anatomy of a coral polypAnatomy of a coral polyp

-Each polyp looks like a tiny sea anemone-Ring of stinging tentacles around a central mouth-Rests in a “cup” on the surface of the colony

-Each polyp looks like a tiny sea anemone-Ring of stinging tentacles around a central mouth-Rests in a “cup” on the surface of the colony

What do corals eat?What do corals eat?-Like a sea anemone, the polyp can capture small prey (mostly zooplankton) with its tentacles-Also get nutrition from a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae….

-Like a sea anemone, the polyp can capture small prey (mostly zooplankton) with its tentacles-Also get nutrition from a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae….

What are zooxanthellae?What are zooxanthellae?

-Algae that live in the coral polyp’s surface layer

-Algae get nutrients and a safe place to grow

-Corals get oxygen and help with waste removal

-Corals also get most of their food from the algae

-Algae that live in the coral polyp’s surface layer

-Algae get nutrients and a safe place to grow

-Corals get oxygen and help with waste removal

-Corals also get most of their food from the algae

Benefits of Coral ReefsBenefits of Coral Reefs

• Fish live in the coral.• Protects coastal area

from storms and hurricanes.

• Remove toxins fromthe water.

• Recreation for humans.

• Fish live in the coral.• Protects coastal area

from storms and hurricanes.

• Remove toxins fromthe water.

• Recreation for humans.

What turns the coral white?What turns the coral white?

- As a stress response, corals expel the symbiotic zooxanthellae from their tissues- The coral tissue is clear, so you see the white limestone skeleton underneath

- As a stress response, corals expel the symbiotic zooxanthellae from their tissues- The coral tissue is clear, so you see the white limestone skeleton underneath

Healthy coral with algae

Healthy coral with algae

Bleached coral with no algae

Bleached coral with no algae

What can stress a coral?What can stress a coral?

-Pollution

-Bacteria

-High turbidity from coastal runoff, cruise ships, or hurricanes

-High & Cold water temperatures

-Pollution

-Bacteria

-High turbidity from coastal runoff, cruise ships, or hurricanes

-High & Cold water temperatures

Examples of Damage to ReefsExamples of Damage to Reefs

PollutionPollution

Cruise ShipsCruise Ships

AnchorsAnchors

HumansHumans

Can corals recover?Can corals recover?

-Corals can begin to recover after a few weeks-Corals can begin to recover after a few weeks

-Corals may eventually regain color by repopulating their zooxanthellae

-Algae may come from the water column

-Or they may come from reproduction of the few cells that remain in the coral

-Corals may eventually regain color by repopulating their zooxanthellae

-Algae may come from the water column

-Or they may come from reproduction of the few cells that remain in the coral

What Can We Do To Help?What Can We Do To Help?

• Stop Pollution• Protect Reefs From

Damage By Humans• Create Artificial Reefs

• Stop Pollution• Protect Reefs From

Damage By Humans• Create Artificial Reefs

Artificial ReefsArtificial Reefs

Reef Balls are positioned to create an artificial reef.

Reef Balls are positioned to create an artificial reef.

Coral starts to grow and fish move in.

Coral starts to grow and fish move in.

A new reef begins to form.A new reef begins to form.

Healthy Reefs AgainHealthy Reefs Again

Fish Tank ProjectFish Tank Project

• Create your own artificial reef in the classroom.• Create your own artificial reef in the classroom.

• Water source is the Wakarusa river

• Located 1 mile West of Lawrence, KS

• Built to help with flood control

• Constructed and operated by Army Corps of Engineers

• Water source is the Wakarusa river

• Located 1 mile West of Lawrence, KS

• Built to help with flood control

• Constructed and operated by Army Corps of Engineers

Clinton Lake Project

What we get from lakesWhat we get from lakes

• Recreation– Boating, fishing, swimming,

camping, hiking

• Habitats for marine life and water fowl

• Water supply• Flood control

• Recreation– Boating, fishing, swimming,

camping, hiking

• Habitats for marine life and water fowl

• Water supply• Flood control

How we damage Clinton Lake• Littering• Fish waste• Agriculture Run-off• Contaminates from

Storm Sewers• Air Pollution

• Littering• Fish waste• Agriculture Run-off• Contaminates from

Storm Sewers• Air Pollution

How can we make a difference?How can we make a difference?

• Don’t throw any thing in the water.

• Don’t put trash the land by the water.

• Reduce the amount of harmful chemicals used in and around your house.

• Pick-up trash along roads that may wash into rivers and streams.

• Don’t throw any thing in the water.

• Don’t put trash the land by the water.

• Reduce the amount of harmful chemicals used in and around your house.

• Pick-up trash along roads that may wash into rivers and streams.