Coral Reefs

Question 1

What is the importance of Coral Reefs

Answer 1

Tourism money and ecosystems

Question 2

What are the factors controlling the Distribution of Coral Reefs

Answer 2

Light levels (depth & turbidity), Temp, Salinity, pH, Substrate, Wave Action, Pollution

Question 3

How is light a distribution factor of coral reefs

Answer 3

Light is needed for photosynthesis

Question 4

How does depth and turbidity effect the distribution of coral reefs

Answer 4

they both tie into the amount of light needed for photosynthesis. Shallow waters with low turbidity gives the most light, which is best for coral reefs.

Question 5

What type of conditions does the pH, temp, and salinity need to be for coral reefs

Answer 5

normal sea water pH; narrow range of temp, warm; normal sea water salinity

Question 6

why is pH important for coral reefs

Answer 6

the more acidic the water the harder it is for them to extract CaCO3 from the water to build their skeleton.

Question 7

What are the types of Corals should we know

Answer 7

Branching, Plate-like, and Massive

Question 8

What type of corals are considered reef building corals and why

Answer 8

Hermatypic Coral; have photosynthetic symbionce

Question 9

What type of corals are considered non reef building corals and why

Answer 9

Ahermatypic Coral; do not have a photosynthetic symbionce

Question 10

Describe the anatomy of a Scleractinian Coral

Answer 10

Polyps (the part that secretes the skeleton and is raised out of the wholes); Tentacles (use cnidarocytes to sting and catch prey); Mouth (right under tentacles); and Gut (the part that sinks in)

Question 11

Corals thrive in ___, ____ seas where phytoplankton productivity is _____

Answer 11

clear; tropical; low

Question 12

Which organism does corals have a symbiotic relationship with

Answer 12

Zooxanthellae Symbiodinium

Question 13

What type of plankton is the Zooxanthellae

Answer 13

dinoflagelet

Question 14

Explain the mechanism of Bleaching in Corals

Answer 14

When the corals aren’t under the right conditions they get stressed. When they get stressed the symbiodinium get stressed and expel a radical that could damage the coral. The coral will then expel the cells leaving behind a bleached look.

Question 15

How does coral reproduce

Answer 15

Asexually: either by budding of new polyps or by fragmentation; Sexually: either by spawning or brooding

Question 16

Describe the budding of new polyps

Answer 16

new polyps grow off of the other one which forms a colony of polyps on a reef

Question 17

Describe reproduction by fragmentation

Answer 17

new colonies form from broken off portions of established colonies

Question 18

Which type of reproduction releases millions of gametes into the water column for external fertilization

Answer 18

Spawning

Question 19

Which type of reproduction does the eggs remain in the gastrovascular cavities of the adults and are fertilized by motile sperm

Answer 19

Brooding

Question 20

Describe the life cycle of coral

Answer 20

Zygote< Primary pulyp< Adult Colony

Question 21

There are 3 major types of Coral reefs

Answer 21

Fringing , Barrier, and Atolls

Question 22

which type of coral reef is right on the shore line

Answer 22

Fringing Reef

Question 23

Which type of coral reef is off the shoreline with a lagoon in between

Answer 23

Barrier Reef

Question 24

Which type of coral reef is there just a ring of Coral

Answer 24

Atoll

Question 25

How are atoll coral reefs formed

Answer 25

The theory is the coral used to be fringing and the island it surrounded sank. As the island sank, the coral grew on top of it in an attempt to stay in rang of the light

Question 26

What are the zones of the coral reef

Answer 26

Fore Reef Slope, Reef Crust, Reef Flat/Black Reef, Lagoon

Question 27

Which reef zone contains the spur and groove zone, has highest density of coral, and is the most seaward portion of reef

Answer 27

The Fore Reef Slope

Question 28

This zone is the highest part of the reef and is subject to the full force of oncoming waves with a high concentration of algae

Answer 28

The Reef Crust

Question 29

This Zone is near the algae edge conditions for coral growth is good

Answer 29

Reef Flat/ Black Reef

Question 30

This zone has reduced water circulation, variable temps and salinity, and sediment accumulation.

Answer 30

Lagoon

Question 31

What is the purpose of the spur and groove zone

Answer 31

dissipate the force of the waves and stabilize the coral reef. Also. it channels the sediments

Question 32

What are the differences in structure between Atlantic and Pacific coral reefs

Answer 32

Atlantic reefs are younger and nest on shallow banks or platforms. The Buttress zones are deeper in the Atlantic and corals growth extends deeper. Atolls are less common in the Atlantic but flats and Lagoons are more common. Coral cover less than 60% of substrate in Atlantic but 80-90% in Pacific

Question 33

What are the differences in species richness between Atlantic and Pacific coral reefs

Answer 33

Pacific has a larger number of species but the Atlantic has larger number of sea fans and whips

Question 34

What are the differences in Species dominance between Atlantic and Pacific coral reefs

Answer 34

Atlantic reefs are dominated by Elkhorn and fire corals. Rhythms are mostly nocturnal in the Atlantic but diurnal in the Pacific. Sponge mass is 2-10 times higher in Atlantic. Echinoids are the major grazers in the Atlantic and fish are in the pacific

Question 35

What other organisms help build the reefs and how

Answer 35

Coraline algae: help growth, prevent coral from being washed away, help lock in sediment.; Sponges and Bryozoans: also help bind sediments

Question 36

Why are grazing fish important

Answer 36

They maintain the reef by controlling the growth of algae. Along with sea urchins, they have the ability to remove 50-100% of total algae production

Question 37

What is the major cause in se water change in chemistry?

Answer 37

The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. 30% of atmospheric CO 2 is absorbed by the sea, increasing its pH and making it harder for CaCO 3 to precipitate out.

Question 38

What are the threats to coral reefs

Answer 38

changes in sea water chemistry, Bleaching, sea level change causing disease, overfishing, coastal construction and alien species