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Like trees, corals have bands that can help scientists learn about environmental changes in temperature, water chemistry, and water clarity

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Many polyps come together to form coral and work as one organism

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Symbiotic algae (with polyps)

Give coral nutrition

Polyps are see-through so zooxanthellae give corals their color

Corals will die if zooxanthellae are not there

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Climate change

Ocean acidification

Diseases

Sedimentation

Overfishing

Pollution

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Warning: The following food web's arrows should be pointing in the opposite direction

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Elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (Acropora cervicornis), two species of reef-building corals, have declined between 92-97% since the 1970s

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Protect coastlines from hurricanes, cyclones, and tsunamis as they act at “speed bumps”, slowing down waves

Help to shelter 200 million people on shorelines, protecting 81 countries

Provide food, recreation, tourism, and jobs

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Take up about 1% of the ocean floor, but house 25% of all ocean species  

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Take up about 1% of the ocean floor, but house 25% of all ocean species  

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Found in shallow areas less than 150 ft deep in order to get sun to feed the primary producers

Found in tropical and subtropical oceans

Require temps of 76-84 degrees F

Need clear water for sunlight

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More than 90% of the world’s coral reefs will die by 2050

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Some coral can live for over 4,000 years 

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Some coral can live for over 4,000 years 

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Acidification- due to increased CO2, making it harder for reefs to form
Coral Bleaching- When polyps become “stressed out” by pollution or high temperature, they kick out the colorful zooxanthellae which can kill the polyps if it goes on for too long

Sedimentation- Erosion caused by construction. Ends up in the ocean, where it can 'smother' corals by depriving them of the light needed to survive.

Zooxanthellae-  A dinoflagellate that forms an endosymbiotic relationship with corals and performs photosynthesis.

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1. Jellyfish: Medusozoa

2. Staghorn Coral: Acropora cervicornis

3. Sponges: Porifera

4. Mollusks: Mollusca

5. Flounder: Paralichthys dentatus

6. Sea Urchin: Echinoidea

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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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1. Lobsters: Nephropidae

2. Sea Turtles: Chelonioidea

3. Surgeonfish: Acanthuridae

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1. Green Algae: Chlorophyta

2. Coralline Algae: Corallinales

3. Mangroves: Rhizophoraceae

4. Seagrass: Angiosperm

5. Dinoflagellates: Dinoflagellata

6. Diatom: Bacillariophyceae

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1. Grey Reef Shark: Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos