Coral Reefs

Question 1

What is the definition of coral reefs?

Answer 1

Coral reefs are masses of coral formed from coral polyps which are tiny sea creatures that live in colonies or groups. They are held together by calcium carbonate, a common substance found in rocks such as limestone.

Question 2

What are the three main types of reef?

Answer 2

1) Fringing reefs

2) Barrier reefs

3) Atoll reefs

Question 3

What are fringing reefs?

Answer 3

Fringing reefs found in shallow water close to and parallel to the shore. They are the most common in the Caribbean, e.g. Jamaica, Barbados, Tobago and Antigua.

(Review picture in notes)

Question 4

What are barrier reefs?

Answer 4

Barrier reefs are much larger than fringing reefs. They are found in deep water and farther out to sea than fringing reefs. In the Caribbean there is a Barrier reef about 25km off the coast of Belize.

(Review picture in notes)

Question 5

What are atoll reefs?

Answer 5

Atoll reefs are isolated and ring-shaped and rise out of deep water. In the centre is found a lagoon. Atolls are usually found in the Indian Ocean, e.g. the Maldives.

Question 6

What are the three conditions that favour the growth of coral reefs?

Answer 6

1. Clear, warm sea water of about 21°C to 30°C.
2. Sunlight
3. Shallow water is usually less than 55 meters.

Question 7

How do coral reefs benefit the physical environment?

Answer 7

1. They help to protect the coastline during storms and so prevent beach erosion.
2. The material worn away from the reefs produces white sand which helps to rebuild the beach.
3. They act as a shelter for the growth of mangrove forests.
4. They provide a habitat or home for numerous fish.

Question 8

How have the actions of man lead to the destruction of coral reefs?

Answer 8

1. Some fishermen use dynamite and cyanide poison to catch fish and this helps to
   damage the reef.
2. Overfishing can lead to the loss of very important fish. (This affects the ecosystem
   balance and results in the growth of a lot of algae).
3. When hotels and cruise ships pump sewage into the sea, the reefs are damaged.
4. Oil spills in the sea from oil tankers help to damage the reefs.
5. Local people break off the coral and use it to make jewelry to sell to tourists.
6. Yachts and boats anchoring too close to the reefs as well as scuba divers snorkeling too close, damage the reef.

Question 9

What are some ways in which Coral reefs can be protected?

Answer 9

1. Government can pass laws to punish those people who adopt practices that are harmful
   to coral reefs e.g. they can be made to pay fines of large sums of money or they can be
   imprisoned.
2. Awareness and education campaigns can be conducted through the media, visits to
   schools, public lectures, pamphlets etc.
3. Some governments have established organizations that are responsible for maintaining a healthy coral reef environment. For example the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) located in Barbados.