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Coral Reef Biome

Coral Reef Biome. Introduction to Coral Reefs. Coral reefs are amazing, natural wonders that live in the warm waters of the tropics, providing habitat for thousands of marine creatures. Location of Coral Reefs. Coral polyp. Coral colony. Zooxanthellae. Corals. Coral Reef.

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Coral Reef Biome

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  1. Coral Reef Biome

  2. Introduction to Coral Reefs Coral reefs are amazing, natural wonders that live in the warm waters of the tropics, providing habitat for thousands of marine creatures.

  3. Location of Coral Reefs

  4. Coral polyp Coral colony Zooxanthellae Corals Coral Reef

  5. Corals can build three types of reefs: • Fringing: grows close to shore • Barrier: also grows close to shore but has a lagoon separating it from the shore • Atoll: a ring of coral that surrounds a lagoon, often grows on a submerged mountain or volcano

  6. Interesting Coral Reef Facts • The Great Barrier Reef is the largest system in the world and can be seen from outer space. • Corals produce a hard skeleton that forms the actual structure of the reef. • Coral reefs have the second highest biodiversity after rainforests.

  7. Why are coral reefs important? • Habitat: They are home to 33% of all known fish species. • Nursery: And a nursery ground for over 25% of all marine species. Photo by MacGillivray Freeman Films Photo by J. Randall Photo by Dee Wescott

  8. Why are coral reefs important? • Income: they provide millions of dollars of income annually for people living by coral reefs. • Medical Research: coral reefs have the potential to be used as medical cures to treat cancer, heart disease, HIV and arthritis among others. • Protection: they protect 20% of the world’s coast from wave erosion. • Food: they are a food source for millions of people. • Tourism: coral reefs attract tourists from all over the world.

  9. What is a healthy environment for coral reefs? • Sunlight • A certain salinity • Low nutrient, clear water • Water temperature 18-29 ºC • Water circulation Photo by MacGillivray Freeman Films

  10. What are the man-made threats to coral reefs? • Global warming leading to coral bleaching. • Runoff of chemicals and nutrients from land • Sedimentation. • Rubbish including marine debris • Overfishing • Physical damage from tourists and fishermen • Pollution from untreated sewage and oil. An example of coral bleaching.

  11. What plants live on coral reefs? Algae - lots of different types!

  12. What animals live on the reef? Turtles!

  13. What animals live on coral reefs? Crayfish

  14. What animals live on coral reefs? Hard coral

  15. What animals live on coral reefs? Giant clams

  16. What animals live on coral reefs? Parrotfish

  17. What animals live on coral reefs? Butterflyfish

  18. What animals live on coral reefs? Surgeonfish

  19. What animals live on coral reefs? Damselfish

  20. What animals live on coral reefs? Damselfish including Clownfish, like Nemo!

  21. What animals live on coral reefs? Cleaner shrimp

  22. What animals live on coral reefs? Sponges

  23. What animals live on coral reefs? Coral Trout

  24. What animals live on coral reefs? Sharks

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