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
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ABIOTIC
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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.