Coral Reefs What is Coral n GIANT STRUCTURES

Coral Reefs

What is Coral? n GIANT STRUCTURES built by tiny creatures n Some reef systems are so huge that they can be seen from outer space

What is Coral? n All coral is made up of tiny individuals called POLYPS n A polyp is a TINY ANIMAL that looks like an upside down jelly fish!! n They eat PLANKTON

A Polyp Tentacle Mouth Stomach Skeleton

A plant lives in the Coral? n Each polyp has within its body a PLANT n This plant is a special algae called ZOOXANTHELLAE n These plants PHOTOSYTHESISE and provide more food for the polyp

Such a mutually beneficial relationship is called SYMBIOSIS? n What n Food!! n What n does the Polyp get? does the Algae get? Somewhere to live!!

Other reef creatures live on and eat the Coral…. n Fish, crabs, snails, worms and other reef creatures depend on the health and growth of the coral reef for their existence

Threats n Natural Threats to the Reef in Statia n n n Strong waves Hurricanes Coral Predators (Parrot Fish, Hawksbill Turtles) Coral Disease (white band/black band disease killing the elk horn coral) Competition (from algae) Bleaching

Threats n Human Threats to the Reef in Statia Pollution (oil, oil spills, sewage, garbage) n Anchors from Oil Tankers n Fish Traps n Reef Tourism (dive tourism) n

How can we help the coral reefs? n Marine Reserves n Diver awareness (supervised diving) n Education n Research and Monitoring