Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Environmental Science > Coral Reefs > Flashcards

Coral Reefs Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Main ecological features

A

Located around the equator
Shallow warm water - mid 20s
High light availability
Low nutrient water - slows algal growth
Consistent salinity
Low turbidity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a coral reef?

A

Made up of coral polyps
Polyps secret calcium carbonate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What species are coral polyps ?

A

Cnidarians

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How do coral polyps feed and get the energy they need to survive?

A

Tentacles and cilia - trap small particles
Nematocysts - stinging cells to catch live prey
Symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae (photosynthesising algae) - the algae provides coral with oxygen and sugars, coral provides algae with CO2, phosphorus, nitrogen and a protective habitat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Importance of coral reefs to humans

A

Provide food
Development of new medicines
Carbon sequestration
Cultural heritage
Protect mangroves and sea grass meadows
Provide jobs
Provide coastal protection for over 500 million people
Supports 25% of all marine species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Examples of medicines developed from coral reef species: coral

A

Used in bone grafts

Secosteroids - used to treat asthma, arthritis and other inflammatory diseases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Examples of medicines developed from coral reef species: Sea Sponge

A

Antiviral drugs
Treat HIV and AIDS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Examples of medicines developed from coral reef species: Indian Ocean Sea Hare

A

Dolastin 10
Cancer drug - inhibits cell division

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Threats to coral reefs: Physical damage

A

Caused by; harmful fishing methods (e.g. bottom trawling), divers, coastal development
Intentional and unintentional (tourism)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Threats to coral reefs: Pollution

A

Litter
Oil spills
Sewage
Eutrophication

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Threats to coral reefs: Introduced species

A

Escape from fish farms

Ballast water - transfers organisms from different oceans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Threats to coral reefs: Collection of ornaments and souvenirs

A

Intentional removal of coral
Made into jewellery
Reduced by CITES - reduced trade

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Threats to coral reefs: Coral Bleaching

A

Caused by temperature change
Corals lose all colour - expel algae causing polyps to die
High turbidity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Threats to coral reefs: Coastal development

A

Encroach onto coral reefs
Increases pollution and turbidity
More frequent boat activity
Noise pollution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Threats to coral reefs: Sedimentation

A

Build of sediment caused by disturbing the sea bed
Increases turbidity - slows photosynthesis of algae
Runoff from coastal development

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Threats to coral reefs: Fishing

A

Overfishing - fishing over maximum sustainable yield
Destructive fishing methods - bottom trawling, ghost fishing, dynamite fishing

17
Q

Threats to coral reefs: Loss of interdependent habitats (sea grass meadows and mangroves)

A

Disrupts life cycles
Some species become extinct

18
Q

Crown of Thorns Starfish Case Study

A

more fertile than any other invertebrates

smothers and dissolves the coral

usually kept in balance by pufferfish

agricultural runoff = more larvae survive = algae grows faster (main food source)

consume polyps = ecosystem collapses

controlled by improving water quality, physical removal and biological controls

19
Q

How do MPAs protect coral reefs?

A

manage overfishing
support the control of threats
protected from all extractive and destructive uses
divers are educated

20
Q

Example of MPA

A

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

established 1975

designated zones for different uses (recreational/research)

21
Q

How are fishing controls helping coral reefs?

A

ban on bottom trawling and dynamite fishing

no-take zones = stopped disturbances

minimum/maximum catch size

restrictions on net size

quotas

22
Q

Example of a coral reef that is recovering due to fishing controls

A

Great Barrier Reef - no take zones

23
Q

What damage has been caused by tourism on coral reef systems?

A

pollution from boats
wildlife disturbances
pieces of coral snapped off for souvenirs
increased stress causing coral bleaching

24
Q

How are tourism activities being restricted to protect coral reefs?

A

maximum number of tourists that can visit a location

educating tourists on their importance

fixed moorings to stop ships dropping anchors

25
Q

How can we continue to explore coral reef resources sustainably?

A

CITES

extract in low volumes

do not extract during breeding seasons

only allow small scale fishing

quotas

minimum/maximum catch size

26
Q

Example of artificial reef creation

A

Rigs to Reef

use decommissioned oil rigs

use of concrete structures - as they have similar compositions as reefs

large surface area

Environmental Science (25 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions