Reef-Building Corals

Reef-Building Corals• Coral reefs are produced by millions of coral ,

_____________, each removing calcium and carbonate from sea water and depositing it as a hard __________________.

Polypskeleton

Reef-Building Corals

• As one generation of polyps reproduces, the new polyps build their skeleton on the _____________ of the old.

- foundation

Reef-Building Corals

• This cycle has resulted in the build-up of coral into huge _____________ -- and some have actually become ________________ over time (for example, the Florida Keys).

– Reefs– Islands

Reef-Building Corals

• All reef-building corals possess ____________ within their tissues. The algae ____________, utilizing the waste products of the coral (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and phosphorus).

– Algae– photosynthesize

Coral Bleaching

Reef-Building Corals

• In turn, the coral use the _____________ and oxygen produced by the algae during photosynthesis. Without the algae, the corals would not have the ability to ____________ the massive stony skeleton we call the reef.

– Food– Secrete

Reef-Building Corals

• Since the algae need light for photosynthesis, reef-building corals grow only in ocean water less than __________ feet deep. The corals need __________ water (above 70°F) and do not tolerate low ____________ or murky water.– 300– Warm– Salinity

Reef-Building Corals

• The only place in the continental United States suitable for coral reef formation is around the ___________, where there is warm, clear water from the ______________.– Florida Keys– Gulf Stream

Coral Reefs

What coral reefs do for us:

• Provide shelter for marine life• Provide humans with recreation• Potential source of medicines• Create sand for beaches• Buffer shorelines from storms; coastal

protection• Fisheries, sea food

What we do to coral reefs:

• Coastal development; deforestation• Disease• Overfishing & destructive fishing• Pollution from agriculture• Sewage• Global warming

NOAA Research

Reef Revival