1. The Value of Coral Reefs
OCEANS ON THE EDGE 1
The Value of Coral Reefs
Key words:
ecosystem marine biodiversity
distribution goods and services
Starter:
In the back of your books, write down anything you know about coral reefs.
Learning Objective:
To be able to describe and explain the distribution of coral reefs
To be able to identify how humans use coral reefs

2. Watch this clip to see some of the biodiversity of the coral reef.

3. Coral Reef
Massive reef structures are formed when each polyp secretes Calcium Carbonate (there are millions in each reef).
Periodically the polyp will left off its base and secrete a new layer of CaCO3. This builds up making a skeleton structure.
New CaCO3 can add partitions or make the structure bigger.
Cover 1% of earth’s surface but have 25% fish species.

4. Answer this exam question (4 marks)
Use the map on the following slide to produce your own map of where coral reefs occur.
Answer this exam question (4 marks)
Describe and explain the distribution of a named marine ecosystem
Distribution = spread of
(say where they are, and why they are there)
Marine = to do with the sea
Ecosystem = living and non-living things in an environment
Coral Reef!

5. Tropical waters of 24 to 26oC. It must be saline water
Describe and explain the distribution of a named marine ecosystem (4 marks)
Tropical waters of 24 to 26oC. It must be saline water
Shallow water of 25m or less to ensure abundent sunlight
Avoid river mouths, because of the sediment

6. How do humans make use of Coral Reefs?
Watch the first 1.15mins of this video for some ideas of how Coral Reefs are important to people.
Can you think of any more ideas?

7. Use page 107 of the Green text book to make a spider diagram of how humans use coral reefs.
On your spider diagram identify which things are goods and which are services (you could shade over the top of it)
Facts from the video
(you could include in you diagram)
The coral reef in Belize has 500 species of fish to provide food
The coral reef attracts 150,000 tourist to Belize every year, bringing in $150 million

8. And finally ...
Write down three things which you have learnt today.