Corals Rainforests of the ocean

What does this map show?

Coral Reef Distribution Worldwide

What should you know about corals? They are animals that live in colonies or groups of many individual animals living together Structure and Function Two kinds Soft corals Hard corals (These build reefs!) They are made of tiny polyps (about the diameter of a pencil) which look like upside-down jellyfish Coral reefs are home to more species of fish and invertebrate animals than any other ecosystem on our planet!

Hard Corals The Reef Builders Polyps build hard limestone (CaCO 3 ) cups around their bases Polyps build hard limestone (CaCO 3 ) cups around their bases The cups cement together to make a coral colony The cups cement together to make a coral colony Reefs are made of hundreds of hard coral colonies next to and on top of each other formed over many generations (0.5-10cm yearly) Reefs are made of hundreds of hard coral colonies next to and on top of each other formed over many generations (0.5-10cm yearly)

What’s a Polyp? Tentacles release stinging cells when something brushes by them Polyps make their own limestone cup to hide in during the day At night, polyps come out to catch plankton floating by.

Zoo-what!?! Algae, Coral Polyps’ Tenants Plants live inside the corals! Plants live inside the corals! Inside polyps live zooxanthellae, which are algae. Inside polyps live zooxanthellae, which are algae. Zooxanthellae give corals their color. Zooxanthellae give corals their color. Since algae are plants, they use sunlight and CO 2 to make food (the process known as photosynthesis). Since algae are plants, they use sunlight and CO 2 to make food (the process known as photosynthesis).

SymbiosisSymbiosis : So Happy Together Symbiosis Two organisms living together and helping each other is called symbiosis. Two organisms living together and helping each other is called symbiosis. Zooxanthellae make oxygen, remove the polyp’s wastes, and make food for the polyp from photosynthesis. Zooxanthellae make oxygen, remove the polyp’s wastes, and make food for the polyp from photosynthesis. Coral polyps protect the zooxanthellae, release CO 2, and provide it with necessary nutrients from their own waste. Coral polyps protect the zooxanthellae, release CO 2, and provide it with necessary nutrients from their own waste.

Biological Interactions The relationships that exist in nature can be applied to virtually any situation The relationships that exist in nature can be applied to virtually any situation Examples include: Examples include: a) Mutualism (+ / +) b) Commensalism (+ / 0) c) Parasitism or Amensalism (+ / -)

Mutually Beneficial Symbiosis A Win-Win Situation Humans and domesticated animals Humans and domesticated animals Bumblebee and flowers Bumblebee and flowers Lichens (fungi and algae) Lichens (fungi and algae) Your intestine and bacteria Your intestine and bacteria Moray eels and cleaner shrimp Moray eels and cleaner shrimp

How are these mutually symbiotic? Drivers and passengers in a carpool Drivers and passengers in a carpool Tenants and landlords Tenants and landlords

Parasitic Symbiosis A Win-Lose Situation Tapeworms and intestines Tapeworms and intestines Ticks and dogs Ticks and dogs Mistletoe and trees Mistletoe and trees Lice and human hair! Lice and human hair!

Reef Types: Fringing Reefs are directly attached to a shore, or borders it with an intervening shallow channel or lagoon Fringing Reefs are directly attached to a shore, or borders it with an intervening shallow channel or lagoon Barrier reefs are a reef separated from a mainland or island shore by a deep channel or lagoon but lie several kilometers offshore Barrier reefs are a reef separated from a mainland or island shore by a deep channel or lagoon but lie several kilometers offshore Atolls this more or less circular or continuous barrier reef extending all the way around a lagoon without a central island. Atolls this more or less circular or continuous barrier reef extending all the way around a lagoon without a central island.

Artifical Reef Ecosystems

Threats (natural and human): Coral bleaching Coral bleaching Storms and hurricanes Storms and hurricanes Bacterial infections Bacterial infections Temperature change (thermal pollution) Temperature change (thermal pollution) Boating Boating Snorkeling/Diving Snorkeling/Diving Overfishing Overfishing

Coral Bleaching Bleaching occurs when the conditions necessary to sustain the coral's zooxanthellae cannot be maintained. Bleaching occurs when the conditions necessary to sustain the coral's zooxanthellae cannot be maintained. Any environmental trigger that affects the coral's ability to supply the zooxanthellae with nutrients for photosynthesis will lead their expulsion Any environmental trigger that affects the coral's ability to supply the zooxanthellae with nutrients for photosynthesis will lead their expulsion This results in a loss of color for the corals exposing their white skeletons This results in a loss of color for the corals exposing their white skeletons

Why protect the reefs: Biodiversity Biodiversity Preventing Erosion Preventing Erosion Food Supply Food Supply Recreational/Economic Activities Recreational/Economic Activities Antibiotic & Anti-inflammatory Drugs Antibiotic & Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Ways we can protect the reefs: Clean up after yourself (waste collection) Clean up after yourself (waste collection) Avoid physical contact Avoid physical contact Do not remove anything from the reef Do not remove anything from the reef Don’t disturb the surrounding environment Don’t disturb the surrounding environment Be careful when dropping an anchor near the reef Be careful when dropping an anchor near the reef Choose eco-friendly tourism when visiting these or any other fragile ecosystem Choose eco-friendly tourism when visiting these or any other fragile ecosystem