1. Coral Reef Project

2. Background Info. • Importance/ Contributions? • Shoreline Protection • Erosion • Storm Damage • Food Sources • To coastal communities • Opportunities • Recreational • Economical

3. Background • How do Coral Reefs benefit everyone? • Great BIODIVERSITY • Can provide medical options • Many invertebrates produce potent chemicals

4. Background • Possibilities for Chemical Production • Sessile • Need protection from predators • Many are filter feeders • Fight off parasites and pathogen So…..if they produce these chemicals that fight off foreign agents….can they work for us??

5. Background cont. • Threatened by Human Activities • Examples: • Result • Symbiotic algae (Zooxanthelle) are expelled • CORAL BLEACHING

7. Background • What’s been done? • Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) • Conservation Movement

8. First Task • Work in Groups • Coral Reef Tutorials • www.oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/corals • Summarize/ Extract Main Idea from each Topic/ Tutorial

9. Assignment • Investigate possible explanations for Zooxanthelle expulsion by corals • Prepare a written report outlining at least one hypothesis that explains this behavior. • Be sure to explain: • Symbiotic relationship b/w corals and zooxanthelle • How corals obtain zooxanthelle • How environmental stress may alter their symbiosis • How this personally affects us

10. Starting Point • http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/corals/supp_coral_roadmap.html • http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/publications/reef_research/issue2_98/2rmnl.html • http://www.oneocean.org/overseas/200009/coral_bleaching_the_hows_and_whys_and_whats_next.html

11. Part 2 • Prepare a “Public Service Announcement” • Benefits of • Danger to them • Ways to help • How does this personally affect us?