Coral Reef Facts
What are corals actually made of?
Colonies of tiny animals.
What does “colony” mean in this reading?
A group of animals living together.
What is one dangerous method fishermen use to catch fish?
Dynamite fishing.
About what percentage of the world's coral reefs are already dead?
About 10 percent.
What can volunteers clean up to help protect coral reefs?
Trash from beaches.
What do coral reefs need to grow?
Warm, shallow, clear water.
What does “pollution” mean?
Harmful substances or waste entering the environment.
How can fertilizers harm coral reefs?
Fertilizers flow into the sea and help harmful algae grow.
How much have coral reefs near Hainan Island shrunk?
About 80 percent over 30 years.
How can people stop fertilizer pollution from reaching the sea?
Reduce fertilizer pollution and prevent harmful chemicals from washing into rivers and the sea.
Where are some of the world's largest coral reefs found?
In Asia, from southern Japan to Australia.
What does “bleaching” mean?
When colorful coral turns white.
What is the greatest danger to coral mentioned in the reading?
Global warming.
How much have coral reefs in southern Taiwan decreased?
About 63 percent over 25 years.
Why are coral reefs important to some people's jobs?
People depend on reefs for fishing and other jobs.
What do the hard shells of coral animals do?
They attach the coral to the ground and keep it from washing away.
What does “disappear” mean?
To vanish or no longer be seen.
Why does warmer ocean water harm coral?
Warmer water makes coral weak and unhealthy.
What happens to fish populations when coral reefs die?
Fish populations decrease.
What might happen if coral reefs continue to disappear?
People may lose food and jobs, and fishermen may catch fewer fish.
How do coral reefs grow over hundreds of years?
New shells grow on top of older shells over hundreds of years.
What does “depend on” mean?
To need or rely on someone or something.
What happens when dynamite explodes underwater?
It kills fish and destroys coral.
Why must fishermen travel farther when reefs are damaged?
There are fewer fish in nearby reefs, so fishermen must travel farther to catch them.
What is the main message of the reading?
People must work together to protect coral reefs for future generations.