1. Coral Reefs

2. Facts about Coral Reefs Largest living thing on Earth Covers less than 1% of the Earth’s Surface Needs sunlight to grow

3. Did You Know? Coral are animals Plants live inside of them Two kinds –Soft corals –Hard corals (These build reefs!) Made of tiny polyps

4. Types of Reefs Coral Reefs- Underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals

5. Grow close to shore Shallow lagoon or no lagoon at all Encounter coastal development and pollution because of being on the Island Fringing Reefs

6. Barrier Reefs Parallel to the shore Separated by a wide lagoon with deep portions Example: Great Barrier Reef Largest barrier reefs develop on edges of continental shelves

7. Atoll Reefs Circular reef surrounding a large, deep central lagoon Common in Indo-Pacific region 100 miles in diameter

8. Benefits to the Environment Used for food and medicine Economic benefits (tourism, fisheries and protection) - $375 billion a year Breeding grounds for marine animals (fish) Protects shores from waves and storms Home & shelter to 25% of the fish in the ocean

9. Major Threats to Coral Reefs Ocean Water Pollution- oil, petroleum products, pesticides, insecticides and sewage contaminate the oceans Road construction – increases runoff which carries sediments full of pollutants as above Fishing techniques – involving dynamite and cyanide solution Global Warming- Increase in carbon dioxide leads to rise in ocean water temperature Bleaching- Algae that lives with the coral are sensitive to temperature. –Leave coral behind when too warm –Color disappears –Coral becomes a white “dead looking coral”

10. Bleaching

11. Threats (Continued) Human Activities - Dropping of boat anchors - Lobster traps - Fishing line - Fishing nets We are in danger of losing 70% of the World’s Coral Reefs in the next 50 years.

12. What can WE do to save Coral Reefs? Reduce Pollution - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, to eliminate negative impacts of pollution on health of oceans Walk, bike or ride the bus Conserve water: Less water we use, less wastewater that finds its way into oceans.

13. Every simple thing you do to help save coral reefs makes a difference!