coral reef lesson

1. Coral Reefs

2. Corals

3. Coral Reefs
•They are living things made of coral polyps.They are
a food supply as well as a habitat for flora and fauna.
•Coral Reefs are large strips of wave resistant coral
rocks built up by Carbonate organisms (coral polyps)
lying close to the surface of the sea, cemented
together to form a physical structure.

4. Types of reef
• Fringing, Barrier, Atoll

5. Types of Coral Reefs
•Barrier reefs –These are separated from
land by wide and shallow water called a
lagoon. Belize has one of the second largest
barrier reefs. Barrier reefs are found parallel
to the coast and are usually separated by a
shallow but wide area called a lagoon.

6. • Fringing reefs -These are found on shallow rocks near the shore.These are
most common in the Caribbean. Fringing reefs are low platforms of coral
0.5-2.5 km wide lying close to the shore of an island of continental shelf,
separated by narrow lagoons with the outer edge descending sharply into
the sea. Ex Buckoo reef inTobago.

7. • Atoll reefs -These are oval shaped reefs built on top of sunken volcanoes
they tend to form a horseshoe.

8. Growth of Coral Reefs
•Criteria:
• Between 30⁰N and 30⁰S of the equator
• Salty and Shallow water around 20⁰C
• Waters must be clear of sediment
• Sunlight must penetrate freely
• Nutrients and oxygen must be available for the symbiotic
algae which feed off the coral polyps’ waste as it also provides
food to the coral

9. Contributions of coral reefs to Caribbean society
and culture
•Biodiversity
•They are ecosystems which support a wide
variety of marine life (flora and fauna).This aids
with tourism as well as fishing.

10. •Medicine
•Ingredients of some medicines include chemicals
found in sponges found on Caribbean reefs.This has
both positive economic and social effects.
•Potential sun screens

11. •Tourism
•Adventure tourism
•Reproduces sand which provides us with the
beautiful shorelines many tourists find very
attractive.

12. •Fisheries
•Employment for many
•Diet

13. •Coastal protection
•Coral reefs help to prevent coastal erosion by
reducing the effect of the waves and wind;
•They also aid in the preservation of mangroves
and other wetlands.

14. Threats to coral reefs
• NaturalThreats
• Weather systems such as ENSO. ENSO events which alter water temperatures
increasing the likelihood of coral bleaching
• Global warming (results in warm temperatures which kills algae living in the polyps)
• Dust from the Sahara introduces soil fungi which destroys some species of reefs
• Droughts and desertification

15. •Human
•Increased silting and sedimentation which
prevents algae growth within polyps
•Disconnect between fish nurseries and reefs
•Building of hotels which drain wetlands and
change the contours of the coast
•Harvesting of corals for buildings

16. • Overgrowth of algae
• Sewage
• Agricultural and industrial waste such as fertilizers
• Warming of temperatures due to hot water emissions from
power plants and other industrial activities;
• Overfishing and destructive methods of fishing
• Tourism
• Reefs are destroyed from the anchors of ships
• Reefs are destroyed by the fuel from boats
• Tourists and craftsmen break off the reefs

17. Protecting Coral Reefs
• Establishing parks and reserves
• Education and awareness
• Environment ImpactAssessment for development and commercial projects.