Download KS2 Reefs at Risk - National Marine Aquarium

The slide show was designed and produced
for the NMA by STEP, the
Science Training &
Education Partnership
www.step-up-to-science.com
Science
Training &
Education
Partnership
The material in this slide show is provided free for educational
use only. All other forms of storage or reproduction are subject
to copyright- please contact the National Marine Aquarium
www.national-aquarium.co.uk
Reefs at risk:
threats to coral reefs
Coral reefs in tropical seas are
the richest habitats in the
ocean
However, they face increasing
threats from natural and man-made
causes
The value of coral reefs
Impacts on coral reefs
Coral reef conservation
Summary
The value of coral reefs
Impacts on coral reefs
Coral reef conservation
Summary
Coral reefs are the most varied
marine communities
They have been compared to tropical
rainforests
Reefs contain many more species
than the neighbouring ocean
NASA
The Great Barrier Reef
occupies 0.1% of the ocean
area of the planet
It is made up of 2900
separate reefs, which
contain 360 species of
hard corals
Dave
Peake
NASA
The Great Barrier Reef
occupies 0.1% of the ocean
area of the planet
It is home to 1500 species
of fish - 8% of the world total
NASA
The Great Barrier Reef
occupies 0.1% of the ocean
area of the planet
It protects important
coastal habitats such as
mangrove and seagrass
beds
NASA
The Great Barrier Reef
occupies 0.1% of the ocean
area of the planet
It is an important
breeding area for many
endangered species
STEP
Coral reefs are an
important source
of food for many
people
Dave Peake
Reef animals may be important for
human health
Natural drugs
Use of coral to
repair bones
Dave Peake
Coral reefs are
great places for
a holiday!
Dave Peake
Tourist visits to reefs gives half of the
national income of some Carribean
countries
Dave Peake
The value of coral reefs
Impacts on coral reefs
Coral reef conservation
Summary
Coral reefs can be
affected by natural
and man-made
changes
Dave Peake
Natural changes include:
Tropical storms and hurricanes
Freshwater flooding from the land
Earthquakes and tidal waves
‘Predator plagues’ and other changes in
the coral ecosystem
Sometimes, very large numbers of
the crown-of-thorns starfish can
damage large areas of reef by
eating the coral
Habitats like coral
reefs that are close
to the coast are most
affected by human
activity
Human impacts on coral reefs include:
Pollution
Addition of agricultural fertilizers
Addition of sediment
Removal of coral for building and making cement
Over-fishing
Destructive fishing methods
Climate change
Tourism may encourage
building close to the coast in
areas where sewage treatment
and pollution control are poor
Dave Peake
River flow from the land
can carry fertilizers,
pesticides and
sediment - stopping
coral growth but
encouraging algae
Coral reefs are a valuable
source of food fish - but many
are over-fished and survival of
some species is threatened
Dave Peake
Large fishing gear and
dynamite-fishing cause
extensive damage to
coral reefs
Cyanide poison may be used to
catch live fish for the aquarium
trade - this kills the coral and other
animals
10% of coral reefs are already
damaged
60% are under threat from
human activities
Most of the threats to coral
reefs come from overexploitation and coastal
development
Climate change may have a more
important effect on corals
Small increases in
summertime water
temperature causes
the corals to lose the
algal cells from their
bodies
Dave Peake
The value of coral reefs
Impacts on coral reefs
Coral reef conservation
Summary
Protecting coral reefs involves
many different approaches and
many different people
Dave Peake
Making marine parks involves
informing local people and
tourists
brochure: Marine
Conservation Society
Tourism can be used to
inform, and can provide
money for conservation
projects
Dave Peake
Alternatives are needed
for damaging fishing
methods
Trade in reef fish and
curios can be regulated
Dave Peake
Coral reefs are too
valuable to lose!
Dave Peake
The value of coral reefs
Impacts on coral reefs
Coral reef conservation
Summary
You have seen that -
Coral reefs contain many
important species
Reefs are important for
fisheries and tourism
You have seen that -
Coral reefs are under threat
from human activities
60% of reefs are at risk
You have seen that -
Human use of coral reefs
needs to change
Preserving coral reefs needs
money and education
www.justaddh2o.tv
www.national-aquarium.co.uk
NOTES for USERS
The material in this slide show is designed to support the teaching of science at Key Stage 1
A full description of the slide show, and linked activities for students, can be found on the National Marine Aquarium (NMA)
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