Coral Bleaching

Causes

100

What is one way humans impact coral bleaching?

Possible answers: Human impact on climate, adding foreign materials into coral reef ecosystems, increased rainfall (extreme erosion), etc

200

Give examples of 3 or more natural causes of coral bleaching

Possible answers: Change in sea temperatures, acidity, sunlight, disease, sedimentation, extreme low tides

300

What is the main way humans increase coral bleaching?

Human impact on the climate is the main way that we cause coral bleaching.

400

Give an example on a way that coral bleaching happens naturally and explain how.

Must effectively explain how change in sea temperatures, acidity, sunlight, disease, sedimentation, extreme low tides impact coral bleaching

500

Name 1 way coral bleaching effects humans

Possible answers: Coral reefs protect humans from storms, coral reefs provide fish for humans to eat, lack of tourism, and social, cultural, and economic impacts on the people living on the coasts of the reefs, etc

Misc.

100

Does temperature effect coral bleaching?

Yes!

200

Name a place where coral bleaching is present.

Possible Answers: Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii, Caribbean

300

What is the algae called that gives coral its color and is essential coral survival?

Zooxanthellae

400

Why does coral turn white during the process or coral bleaching?

Its hard for corals to provide enough nutrients for their algae. The algae either leave, or die. This results in the corals turning white or bleached because the algae provides color. When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality.

500

Is the problem reversible? What can you do in St. Louis to reverse the problem?

Yes the problem is reversible! Some things you can do in St. Louis to reverse the problem include: -walk -ride bike -use public transportation -plant a tree