Coral Reef Connections

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/survival/coral/index.html

Go to the website above.

1. What is the largest structure on earth built by a living organism?____________

2. Organisms can be pressured to change by:

a. _________________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________

3. Find and match the 4 different parts of the reef.

a. Reef cay blue light illuminates a great diversity of species

b. Reef front stands up to punishing waves, protects species

c. Reef crest punishing heat and UV radiation keeps biodiversity down

d. Reef flat small coral islands are separated from living reefs by a zone of eroded sand

4. Look at the coral reef activity and define:

a. Predation/parasitism--

b. competition—

c. commensalism & mutualism

5) Move around the reef and find at least two examples of each of the relationships described above. Explain how the organisms demonstrate the relationship described.

A. Predator/ Parasite

1.

2.

B. Competition:

1.

2.

C. Commensalism/ Mutualism

1.

2.

6) Analysis: Describe how the environment (different areas of the reef) and living organisms (predators, competitors, and supporters) put pressure on a species that causes them to change over time.