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Coral Crisis Reefs in Peril

Coral Crisis Reefs in Peril What is Coral? Corals: are made up of tiny animals commonly mistaken for plants coral pal zooxanthellae many types of corals (hard, soft) the reef building corals make the colorful reef Introduction Coral reefs: contain an estimated 25% of all marine species.

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Coral Crisis Reefs in Peril

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  1. © Coralcrisis.com Coral CrisisReefs in Peril

  2. © Coralcrisis.com What is Coral? Corals: • are made up of tiny animals • commonly mistaken for plants • coral pal zooxanthellae • many types of corals (hard, soft) • the reef building corals make the colorful reef

  3. © Coralcrisis.com Introduction Coral reefs: • contain an estimated 25% of all marine species. • occupy only 0.1% of the sea floor. • have existed for over 50,000,000 years. • are in danger–getting sicker! • have had several acres destroyed over the last four decades. • have been damaged off 93 countries • need our help!

  4. © Coralcrisis.com What’s making our reefs disappear? >> Cyanide Fishing • Fishermen use poison to capture reef fish • Cheap and fast way to fish • Effect: Poisoning of the reef and its inhabitants • Solution is education

  5. © Coralcrisis.com What’s making our reefs disappear? >> Over-Fishing • Too many fish are being caught; 95% of destruction to over 1000 reefs is due to this cause • No fish to eat algae; coral is smothered • Solutions: Fish in different areas, give time for fish to reproduce

  6. © Coralcrisis.com What’s making our reefs disappear? >> Aquarium Fish Trade • Harvesting of fish for stores and home • No fish to control algae growth • Solution: Monthly catch report and government involvement

  7. © Coralcrisis.com What’s making our reefs disappear? >> Water Pollution • Pollution by oil, gas, and sewage • Cuts out light and oxygen • Solution: Dispose of waste appropriately

  8. © Coralcrisis.com What’s making our reefs disappear? >> Coral Bleaching • Corals turn white as the zooxanthellae leave them due to global warming • Causes adverse changes: loss of food and inhabitants • Solution: Use chemicals that don’t harm the environment

  9. © Coralcrisis.com What’s making our reefs disappear? >> Sedimentation • Construction, mining, logging, and farming cause excessive erosion • Smothers corals, cuts out light and oxygen • Solution: Construction workers need to be more aware of their actions

  10. © Coralcrisis.com What’s making our reefs disappear? >> Careless Tourism • Touch and walk on corals, ride turtles, break off pieces of corals • Kills corals and the reef residents, endangers some species • Solution: Do not touch, simply take pictures

  11. © Coralcrisis.com What’s making our reefs disappear? >> Anchor Damage • Anchors crush corals • Kills corals and other animals that happen to be there • Solution: Pass coral reef before anchoring

  12. © Coralcrisis.com Save our Corals! Photo Credits: NOAA

  13. © Coralcrisis.com Thank You!

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