Reef Structure
What are coral polyps?
Tiny animals that build a coral
What does endangered mean?
At risk of becoming extinct (not existing in the world anymore)
Name a natural threat
Invasive Species, Natural Disasters, Disease
How are mangroves and coral reefs connected?
Mangroves improve water quality, stabilize the shoreline and provide a nursery habitat for juvenile fish who migrate to coral reefs when they are adults
What is the "zone" called that coral reefs live in?
Tropical Zone
What are the two kinds of coral?
Hard and soft coral
What color is the blue tang in its juvenile phase?
Yellow
What is the invasive species that lives on Bahamian coral reefs?
Lionfish
What are two benefits or importances that mangroves and coral reefs share
Protect our coastline, shelter for fish, biodiversity, education & recreation, water filtration, Food
What are your counselors names?
Miss Lianna and Jaro
What time of day do coral polyps extend their tentacles to feed?
Night time
Why are Parrotfish important on a coral reef?
They clean the reef from algae and produce sand
Name two ways that humans can harm coral reefs?
-Stepping on them/breaking off pieces
-Overfishing
-Throwing their anchors
Name the 3 important commercial species that use both mangroves and coral reefs. (Be specific)
Queen conch, Nassau Grouper, Caribbean Spiny Lobster
Name 3 ways we can be a "Friend of the Environment"
-Pick up trash
-Don't litter!
-Tell others about the environment
-Take shorter showers
-Use less plastic! (Reusable water bottles, reusable bags, etc)
What are the tiny plants called that live inside of a coral reef, and what is ONE thing they give the coral?
Zooxanthellae / gives the coral its colour and food
Which two animals that we talked about have CLOSED SEASONS?
Spiny lobster (crawfish) and Nassau Grouper
Explain what coral bleaching is in detail
When the coral expels its zooxanthellae because it is stressed due to extreme temperatures (Particularly heat). Its appears white because we are seeing the coral skeleton.
Symbiotic relationships can be observed on both mangroves and coral reefs. Give an example of each
White mangroves and ants
Fish and red mangroves
Coral polyps and Zooxanthellae
Parrotfish and coral
Name 2 things that WE can do to help coral reefs
-reduce, reuse, recycle
-use less plastic
-use less water
-follow regulations/don't overfish
-don't step on them or break pieces off
-tell someone about them!