Lesson 2:Wonders of coral

Become an ocean explorer (ages 11-14)

There are a lot of different scales on the coral reef…These tiny algae live

inside the coral tissue providing energy. They measure just a few m or microns across.Compare that to the entire Great Barrier Reef stretching 2,300km along the coast of Australia.

Reef mosaic

Coral reef Habitat zone

Habitat patch

Coral colony

Coral branch

Coral polyp Algae (zooxanthellae)

Coral reef scales from largest (1) – smallest (8)

There are different habitat zones on the reef. These are areas that have different environmental conditions.

Wave strength

Exposure at low tide

Amount of sunlight

There are different habitat zones on the reef. These are areas that have different environmental conditions.

Wave strength

Exposure at low tide

Amount of sunlight

Encrusting coral is suited to the reef crest because it is resistant to the power of the waves.

How did you place the corals on your diagram? Can you give reasons for where you put them?

Wave strength

Exposure at low tide

Amount of sunlight

Dive 2 – Wonders of coral

- We are going on a 15 minute dive around Opal Reef

- Your mission is to complete two coral surveys, identifying the different types that you can see

- Before your dive we are going to practise coral identification

Surv

ey S

ite 1

–

Opal R

eef

Surv

ey S

ite 2

–

Opal R

eef

Surv

ey S

ite 1

–

Opal R

eef

Surv

ey S

ite 2

–

Opal R

eef

Dive 2 log

- Complete your dive log- How are coral ecosystems varied?

- Remember to get your log signed by your buddy and dive master

Slide Photo Credit2, 3 Zooxanthellae Emma Kennedy (University of Exeter)2 Map Google3 Reef mosaic NASA3 Coral reef NASA3 Coral polyp OIST4, 5 Reef skectch Digital Explorer

All other images and photos Catlin Seaview Survey

Photo credits