The Coral Reef Ecosystem

Introduction

Coral reefs are a complex ecosystem on our planet. Found mainly within the tropics, they occupy 1% of the planet, but contribute infinitely to the planet.

Task

For today's task you are to

1. Examine coral reefs as ecosystems

2. Locate coral reefs around the globe

Process

The Coral Reef Ecosystem

 

What is a coral reef?

Click on the link http://www.livescience.com/40276-coral-reefs.html

Read paragraph one, then answer the following question:

1. What is a coral reef?

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Click on the link http://coral.org/coral-reefs-101/coral-reef-ecology/how-coral-reefs-grow/

Read the extract, then answer the following question:

1. What organism is responsible for coral reef formation?

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2. Explain how this organism contributes to building the reef?

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The reef is an ecosystem!

Click on the link and watch the video about Ecosystems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPHqUxxyLsY

Then click on the following link which shows coral reefs as ecosystems                                                                                                                           

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuEe4376il8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d3qie3jbHk

1. Give specific examples of each of the following components in the coral reef ecosystem

BIOTIC

 

ABIOTIC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. In the space below, draw a food web that exists in the coral reef ecosystem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location of Coral Reefs

Go to the following website http://data.unep-wcmc.org/datasets/1

On the GIS map, the coral reefs are shown in red. Use the pointer to help navigate through the map.

Using your pencil, sketch in the location of the world’s coral reefs onto the blank outline map. Give the map a title.

Confirm the location of the coral reefs you have drawn on your map with the map found on the following website: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/corals/media/supp_coral05a.html

Write one observation you have made about the location of coral reefs on the world map.

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Now go click on the following website to see why coral reefs are located in these areas. Scroll down to the section headed “Where Reefs Exist”

https://www.coris.noaa.gov/about/what_are/#Anchor-From-63388

Based on the information from the above website, explain why coral reefs have established in the Caribbean.

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Evaluation

Hand in your group worksheet at the end of the lesson for grading before the start of the next session.

Your worksheet will be graded using the criteria below. 

CRITERIA

EXCELLENT                             (4-5 MARKS)

GOOD                    (2-3 MARKS)

POOR                     (0-1 MARKS)

COMPLETION

All activities of each task in the WebQuest are completed

One or two activities in the WebQuest are omitted or incomplete

More than 3 activities in the WebQuest are omitted or incomplete

ACCURACY OF INFORMATION

All points of information are accurate

There are one or two incorrect points of information

There are more than 3 incorrect points of information

ILLUSTRATIONS

Illustrations are neat, well labelled and shows accurate information.

Illustrations and somewhat neat, some labels are missing and shows mostly accurate information.

Illustrations are untidy, many labels are missing and shows some inaccurate information.

PARTICIPATION

All group members were observed participating in all of the tasks and activities.

Two to three group members were observed participating in tasks and activities.

One group member was observed participating in/directing the tasks and activities.

Conclusion

Now that your have learnt about coral reefs as functioning ecosystems on our planet, and where they are located, you shall journey to explore the ways in which reefs form.