Name: ____________________________ Period: ____

Chasing Coral- Part OneThe Coral Ecosystem in Peril

Over one half billion people around the world depend on the coral reef for food and income. There are over 2500 hundred different species living in tropical oceans and they are dying at an alarming rate. These tiny "food factories" have been on this planet long before man but their future is in peril due to climate change. Richard Vevers from the XL Catlin Seaview Survey is determined to learn more about these amazing creatures and how their destruction can be stopped.

You will be asked to watch the Netflix video "Chasing Coral" and take notes on what you have observed. Remember to use the format directed by your teacher. Once you are finished, you may use these notes to answer the questions below.

Key Terms

ecosystem coral polyp community symbiosiszooxanthellae photosynthesis climate weathertaxonomy foundation species nematocystprostaglandin cnidarian sea fan invertebrate

Assessment Questions

1. Describe five (5) characteristics of a coral. Be specific.1.2. 3.4.5

2. What exactly is an ecosystem?

3. Name and describe the four (4) main types of coral reef.1.2.3.4.

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4. What was the goal of the XL Catlin Seaview Survey?

5. What first motivated Richard Vevers to begin this journey?

6. "The ocean is out of sight and out of mind". What did Richard Vevers mean by this statement?

7. According to Richard, our planet is unique from any other planet in the Solar System. What makes Earth unique?

8. What percentage of corals have been lost in Florida?1. 25%2. 40 - 50%3. 50 - 75%4. 80 - 90%

9. Describe the physical anatomy of a coral polyp.

10. Corals come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. What gives coral its color?

11.What are the two sources of nutrition for the coral polyp?1.2.

12. Coral are often referred to as a "foundation species". What does this term mean?

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13. Upon arriving at Airport Reef, what did Richard Vevers discover?

14. Describe in detail what happens during "coral bleaching"?

15. Zooxanthellae live in a symbiotic relationship with the coral. Name the four types of symbiotic relationship.1.2.3.4.

16. What did the weather satellite images from NOAA reveal to scientists?

17. Richard and his crew set up cameras on three tropical coral reefs in Bermuda, Hawaii and the Bahamas. Why?

18. How is beach sand created?

19. What percentage of marine life depends on the coral reef?1. 15%2. 25%3. 45%4. a whole bunch

20. What is prostaglandin A2 and where does it come from?

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Critical Thinking EssayThe Coral Reef and Mankind

"Coral bleaching is like a stress response much like a fever in human beings. A healthy ocean means a healthy planet."

The coral community features an abundance of life and a level of biodiversity similar to what you might find in the tropical rainforest. The world ocean controls the global climate and weather patterns all over the planet. The very oxygen that we breathe is dependent upon the health and well being of trillions of tiny phytoplankton living in the ocean. Tragically, the ocean realm is under attack and coral reef communities are dying everywhere.

Students, your assignment is to prepare an insightful and carefully researched essay while answering the following questions:

(1) How do humans depend on the coral reef?(2) Describe in detail a coral reef community and describe the various

symbiotic relationships that exist with many of its inhabitants. Additional research may be necessary.

(3) The coral reef may hold the secret to the cure for cancer. Explain how.

Successful essays will include carefully worded, supportive arguments and factual data. Your teacher will provide you with the guidelines on length, font size, assignment deadline etc.

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The Leafy Sea DragonColoring Activity

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The Coral Reef Coloring Activity

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Teachers, please note that this is an engaging video that is packed with factual data, compelling images and numerous opportunities for further research. You may find that viewing Part One or the first 45 minute segment of the movie extends into more than one class period. The video is readily available on Netflix and features breath taking visuals in high definition resolution. Total viewing time is 1 hour and twenty nine minutes. In addition, it is strongly recommended to share the Key Terms with your students first and discuss some of their possible meanings and implications. You may wish to ask students to research these terms as a home or class work assignment prior to showing the video.

Advanced Research and Reflection

Teachers, There are a number of topics that can be explored from this single

lesson plan. You may choose to encourage class discussions, debate or additional research with your students. It's important for students to see the relationship between man's activities and rising oceanic temperatures and pollution levels. This behavior can have unexpected outcomes including an explosion in the population of invasive species. Students should consider what would happen if the Japanese fishing industry collapsed and how this would influence the fish population in other parts of the world.

Suggested topics to explore:

Global climate change oceanic pollution Greenhouse Effectthe oceanic ecosystem sustainability of global fisheriesthe ocean food chain artificial reef construction

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