Underwater Communities
Are coral reefs busy places?
Yes, they are VERY busy places!
What does a brain coral look like?
Brains!
Where do most coral reefs live?
Most coral reefs live close to shore in warm parts of the world.
Are coral reefs fragile?
Yes! They are VERY fragile!
True or False: Polyps are smaller than a pea.
True!
Are polyps large or small?
Small! Polyps are smaller than a pea!
What do corals eat?
Algae
What do corals need to stay healthy?
Algae for food, sunlight and water
What is the biggest cause of harm to coral reefs?
People
True or False: Hundreds of animals and sea plants live in coral reefs.
False! Millions of animals and sea plants live in coral reefs!
Animals and sea ______ live in coral reefs.
What are the two kinds of coral?
What are the three kinds of coral reefs?
Fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls
What do reefs protect coasts from?
Reefs help protect coasts from storms and floods.
True or False: The holes in reefs are bad places for animals to hide.
False! The holes in reefs are great places for animals to hide!
What are huge ocean communities?
Coral reefs
What does soft coral look like?
They often look like trees or other plants!
How big is the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is about half the size of Texas!
What causes corals to lose their algae?
Warmer water
True or False: Atolls are shaped like squares.
False! Atolls are shaped like circles!
Corals aren't rocks or plants. They are tiny animals called _____.
Polyps
How are corals named?
Corals are named for what they look like!
A lagoon is a small body of water that forms in the center of a sunken island.
How can we protect coral reefs?
Never throw things in the water! We can also learn about what people do that makes the ocean water too warm.
True or False: When corals have no food, they lose their color and turn white.
True!