Coral Reef Project

Background Info.

• Importance/ Contributions?– Shoreline Protection• Erosion• Storm Damage

– Food Sources• To coastal communities

– Opportunities• Recreational• Economical

Background

• How do Coral Reefs benefit everyone?– Great BIODIVERSITY• Can provide medical options • Many invertebrates produce potent chemicals

Background

• Possibilities for Chemical Production– Sessile• Need protection from predators

– Many are filter feeders• Fight off parasites and pathogen

So…..if they produce these chemicals that fight off foreign agents….can they work for us??

Background cont.

• Threatened by Human Activities– Examples:

• Result– Symbiotic algae (Zooxanthelle) are expelled• CORAL BLEACHING

Background

• What’s been done?

– Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF)• Conservation Movement

First Task

• Work in Groups

• Coral Reef Tutorials– www.oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/corals

– Summarize/ Extract Main Idea from each Topic/ Tutorial

Assignment

• Investigate possible explanations for Zooxanthelle expulsion by corals

• Prepare a written report outlining at least one hypothesis that explains this behavior.

• Be sure to explain:– Symbiotic relationship b/w corals and zooxanthelle– How corals obtain zooxanthelle– How environmental stress may alter their symbiosis– How this personally affects us

Starting Point

• http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/corals/supp_coral_roadmap.html

• http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/publications/reef_research/issue2_98/2rmnl.html

• http://www.oneocean.org/overseas/200009/coral_bleaching_the_hows_and_whys_and_whats_next.html

Part 2

• Prepare a “Public Service Announcement”– Benefits of– Danger to them– Ways to help– How does this personally affect us?