1. Reef-Building Corals

2. Coral reefs are produced by millions of coral, _____________, each removing calcium and carbonate from sea water and depositing it as a hard __________________. Polyp skeleton

3. Reef-Building Corals As one generation of polyps reproduces, the new polyps build their skeleton on the _____________ of the old. - foundation

4. Reef-Building Corals This cycle has resulted in the build-up of coral into huge _____________ -- and some have actually become ________________ over time (for example, the Florida Keys). – Reefs – Islands

5. Reef-Building Corals All reef-building corals possess ____________ within their tissues. The algae ____________, utilizing the waste products of the coral (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and phosphorus). – Algae – photosynthesize Coral Bleaching

6. Reef-Building Corals In turn, the coral use the _____________ and oxygen produced by the algae during photosynthesis. Without the algae, the corals would not have the ability to ____________ the massive stony skeleton we call the reef. – Food – Secrete

7. Reef-Building Corals Since the algae need light for photosynthesis, reef-building corals grow only in ocean water less than __________ feet deep. The corals need __________ water (above 70°F) and do not tolerate low ____________ or murky water. – 300 – Warm – Salinity

8. Reef-Building Corals The only place in the continental United States suitable for coral reef formation is around the ___________, where there is warm, clear water from the ______________. – Florida Keys – Gulf Stream Coral Reefs

9. What coral reefs do for us: Provide shelter for marine life Provide humans with recreation Potential source of medicines Create sand for beaches Buffer shorelines from storms; coastal protection Fisheries, sea food

10. What we do to coral reefs: Coastal development; deforestation Disease Overfishing & destructive fishing Pollution from agriculture Sewage Global warming NOAA Research Reef Revival