Coral Reefs

Task 1 – Study the map below of global distribution of coral reefs. In the space below, describe the global distribution
of reefs making reference to population density. Then use the ‘Ocean Depth’ map on the slide 3 and compare to the
map below. What do you notice?

Spatial Distribution

The distribution of the coral reefs are mostly around small islands.

Link to ocean depth

The depth of the ocean are always shallow if there are many coral reef and this links to why the coral reefs are mostly
around the islands and big lands
Task 2 - The three different types of reefs are shown below. Use the information in the PPT and the video to fill in their
formation below.

Fringing reefs are formed:

The most common type of reef is the fringing reef. This type of reef grows seaward directly from the
shore. They form borders along the shoreline and surrounding islands. 

Example location: Ningaloo reef, along the western coast af Australia

Barrier reefs are formed:

Barrier reefs are similar to fringing reefs in that they also border a shoreline; however, instead of growing
directly out from the shore, they are separated from land by an expanse of water. This creates a lagoon of
open, often deep water between the reef and the shore.

Example location: Great Barrier Reef, around Australia

Atolls are formed:

When a fringing reef continues to grow upward from a volcanic island that has sunk entirely below sea
level, an atoll is formed. Atolls are usually circular or oval in shape, with an open lagoon in the centre.

Example location: Ari Arolls, around Maldives

Task 3 – Use the information on the slides to complete the characteristics of coral reefs below.

Temperature – the mean annual temperature has to be over 18 degrees C; the optimal temperatures for them is
between 23-25 degrees C

Depth of water – can only grow in depths of water less than 25m

Light – allows light for tiny photosynthesis

Salinity – only live in sea water, but they cannot tolerate seawater of hight salinity

Sediment – sediment dogs up the feeding structures and cleaning systems of corals – cloudy water also reduces light
penetration in the light needle for photosynthesis

Wave action – prefer areas of high energy wave action

Exposure to air - die if they are exposed to air for too long – they can only survive and grow, therefore, at the level
of the lowest tides

Task 4 – Using the threats image on slide 7 to annotate the diagram below fully to show the threats to the coral reef
by human & physical processes.

Sewage pollution and agricultural runoff cause algae growth and change the oxygen content of the
water

Sediment that washes into the ocean from coastal construction or deforestation cuts off sunlight and
promotes algae growth.

Physical damage can result from groundings, anchors, divers, construction, and mining of coralline
sand.

Storms and EI Nino events bleach and degrade coral; global climate change could be catastrophic for
reefs.

Oil spills damage the reproductive capability of coral.

Overfishing leads to algae growth, and dynamite and cyanide fishing continue to damage coral in
Asia.

Boats pollute the water with engine by-products; ships sometimes dump oily ballast water