The Coral Reef Ecosystem
What colorful fish did the photographer spot nibbling at coral?
The parrotfish.
What is the main energy source at the start of the coral reef food chain?
Answer: The sun.
What does coral look like when it loses its color due to a lack of algae?
Answer: Bleached or white.
Where does the photographer plan to send her coral reef photos to help conservation efforts?
Answer: The Nature Conservancy.
What natural occurrence can upset the balance of coral ecosystems, making them more susceptible to bleaching?
Answer: Pollution.
What tiny animals form the structure of coral reefs?
Polyps
What term describes organisms like algae that produce their own energy?
Answer: Producers
Which changes in the climate, like warmer temperatures and increased rain, can cause coral bleaching?
Answer: Climate change effects.
Small pieces of which material are attached to concrete blocks to help coral grow?
Answer: Staghorn coral.
: Excessive rainfall and warmer temperatures due to climate change can result in what?
Answer: Coral bleaching.
What process, performed by algae, turns energy from the sun into food?
Photosynthesis
Consumers get their energy by consuming which organisms in a food chain?
Answer: Producers.
When coral loses algae, what else does it lose that is critical for its survival?
Answer: Food.
What material is used to create blocks that help coral attach and grow?
Answer: Concrete.
If coral loses its algae, what will it eventually reach due to lack of food?
Answer: Starvation.
Coral reefs are made up of billions of which tiny animals?
Polyps.
What type of fish was shown as a consumer in the coral reef food chain?
answer: The parrotfish.
Coral bleaching can result from pollution in the water or air, upsetting what in the ecosystem?
Answer: Balance.
Conservationists attach coral to concrete blocks in order to restore what?
Answer: Coral reefs.
Areas exposed to more rain or drought can stress coral reefs, often leading to what?
Answer: Bleaching.
Which underwater predator was spotted by the photographer near the coral reef?
Answer: The barracuda.
What is the term for the process of passing energy from producers to consumers in an ecosystem?
Answer: The food chain.
What type of coral that once appeared colorful and healthy now looks like broken pieces due to bleaching?
Answer: Crumbled coral.
What do the photographer’s photos help raise awareness about?
Answer: Coral reef health and conservation.
Algae are considered a lifeline or food source for coral because they provide what?
Answer: Energy and nutrients needed for survival.