The Coral Reef

The Coral Reef

Jillian and John

Location

• Along equator• Water Temperatures around 20 degrees C

Climate• Average Temperature is 27 degrees C• No precipitation (underwater…)• Air and current temperatures, tides, and

rainfalls• Closer to shore = more affected by tides• Reef flats uncovered at low tides

Plant Adaptation

Animal Adaptation

Soil and Chemical Cycles

• Polyps grow and bud off to form coral • Many of these polyp colonies put

together forms a reef • Nitrogen, Ammonia, Phosphorus, and

chlorophyll all need to be less than .014ppm.

Economic Value• Reefs house diverse large

populations of fish.• Tourist Attraction• Reefs a barrier against waves

Human Disturbance• Humans have overfished hundreds of

reefs • Humans have thrown off the delicate

chemical balances in many reefs. • Construction obstructs the natural flow

of currents and tides to reefs.

Hawksbill Turtle

Eretmochelys imbricata

Distinctive Claws Unique to Species

Beak Like Head

Heart Shaped Shells When Young

• Sandy Beaches in 60 Countries• Females Migrate Between

Nesting and Feeding Areas• Reproduce every 2 to 3 years• Find their way with Ocean

Currents• Feed on bottom sponges• Lives in coastal waters• Many different Habitats around

beaches• Sex determination based around

water temperature

Location

Causes of Endangerment• Increase Human Interaction• Poaching• Artificial Lighting• Predators• Common Problems of Beaches

Level of Endangerment• Critically Endangered Level Varies from Place

to Place• Human Interaction• Illegal Shell Trade• Market for Eggs and Meats• Deterioration of Coral Reefs• About 22,900 nesting females

Conclusion• Only Protecting U.S. Beaches Not Enough• Shell Trade, Poaching, and Hunting Illegal in

Majority of Countries• Conserve and Protect Remaining• Each Country has Own Plan

Coral Reef Conservation Act

• Enacted in 2000• American Conservation Effort• Authorized by Congress and Bill

Clinton• Continually Being Updated by

Present Congress

Provisions of Law• Preserve Coral Reefs • Management of Ecosystems • Better Information on Current

Conditions• Financial Assistance for

Conservation Projects

Enforcement• Government Keeps Updating and

Revising Law to Further Keep Coral Reef Safe• Hard to Enforce due to the Illegal Trade

Changes to Conservation Act

• Amendment in 2007• It included More Protection to the

Shores• Direct Removal of Marine Debris• Accuse Responsible Parties for

Injury to Ecosystem

Application to Coral Reef

• Brings Attention to the Endangered Species and Ecosystem• Helping to Promote and Expand the

Reef• Aiding in Restoring the Current Reef