Coral Reefs + Mangroves Flashcards
What are corals
Soft marine animals (polyps)
What can polyps do
Secrete calcium carbonate (make their own external skeletons)
What do polyps have a symbiotic relationship between
Algae
Algae give vital energy, nutrients and oxygen by photosynthesis
Coral give algae co2 and shelter
What conditions do algae need to thrive
Clear, shallow water Warm water (23-25°C)
What happens if the temperatures exceed 25°C
Algae will die - bleaching
Types of reefs (3)
Fringing reef
Barrier reef
Atoll reef
Fringing reef example + how it forms
Ningaloo, Australia
Coral platforms grow out to sea attached to the mainland
Barrier reef example + how it forms
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Coral grows in a shallower area away from the mainland, water between us too deep so forms a lagoon
Atoll reef example + how it forms
Blue Hole Lighthouse Reef, Belize
Fringing reef develops around an island in a circle
Sea levels rise/ subsidence of land
Coral grows at height of rising sea level
Forms a ring of coral reefs with a lagoon replacing the island in the centre
Case study of a reef: fact file (4)
Barrier reef in north east Australia Extends for 2300km Managed by GBRMPA Important to Australian economy - 6% workforce -12% exports
Case study of a reef: human uses (2)
Fishing
Tourism
Case study of a reef: human threats
Industry + sewage Agriculture Tourism Housing/ shoreline development Fishing Dredging
Case study of a reef: sustaining the reef
GBRMPA
Laws against oil pollution, overfishing, tourist damage
Areas are zoned for particular activities
Fishing is banned in 1/3 of the reef
Natural predator
An animal that eats another animal due to nature
Bleaching
When coral loses its colour due to the algae dying and losing its pigments and
Eutrophication
When a body of water has excess nutrients causing the plant life growth the increase
Sediment
Small particles/ solids that sink to the bottom of a liquid
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of today’s population without compromising the needs of future generations
What are mangroves (2)
Swamps of vegetation (halophytes)
Tropical plants that are adapted to loose, wet soil, salt water, low O2 content
Where are mangroves found (3)
In 118 countries, 42% in Australia
75% found in coastlines
Tropical latitudes
Environmental benefits of mangroves (4)
High biodiversity
Provides sheltered areas for animals
Stabilises coastlines from erosion and natural disasters
Produce an organic acid that helps preserve coral reefs
Economic benefits of mangroves (4)
Produces durable wood
Leaves for tea and medicine
Tourism
Fishing
Human threats to mangroves (5)
Urbanisation/ tourism Agriculture Trees cut Pollution Barricade construction
How to protect mangroves
India and Malaysia
Raising awareness
- encourages to find jobs elsewhere
- not extract resources from mangroves
- replant mangroves
