CORAL REEF
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