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Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center 300 Ma'alaea Rd., Suite 211 Wailuku, HI 96793 www.pacificwhale.org (808) 856-8317 Aloha, e na Kumu (teachers), Thank you for requesting a teacher’s packet from Pacific Whale Foundation. The Crazy Coral Reefs curriculum is structured to aid students in gaining an understanding of what corals are, how they create reefs, and how reefs are important as ecosystems. Mission Statement Our mission is to offer interactive, innovative marine science programs and experiences that empower visitors and residents to help conserve our planet's oceans. Facilities Pacific Whale Foundation’s Discovery Center is a 2,800 sq. ft. facility overlooking Ma'alaea Harbor in Maui. It includes a resource library, two fully functioning Discovery Labs, and Maui Whale Center. Our Discovery Labs are equipped with advanced AV equipment and are currently hosting a variety of school programs and educational opportunities for community members of all ages. Adjacently located is Maui Whale Center, our exhibit room that includes artifacts, displays, and a tidepool tank. Mahalo for your continued patience and support, Erica Cushing Youth Education Director [email protected] (808) 856-8317 © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center Crazy Coral Reefs In this packet students will gain an understanding of what corals are, how they create reefs and how reefs are important as ecosystems. This packet contains activities that build upon one another. Each activity develops upon the ideas of the previous one but may be used individually to supplement existing classroom curriculum. We start by introducing corals as individual animals. We learn about their life cycle and how they develop into colonies. These colonies expand and become giant coral heads. Coral heads come together to form massive reefs. Coral reefs are the basis of a complex and fascinating ecosystem that includes everything from fish to rays to sharks to turtles! So get ready to have fun learning about one of the many wonders of the ocean: Coral Reefs. Table of Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Cnidarian Life Cycle Coral Polyp Life Cycle Polyp Song Intercalical Communication Game Coral Reef Types Specific to Hawaii Plankton, Nekton, Benthos Coral Reef Conservation Field Trip Ideas Helpful Links and Resources © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center Cnidarian Life Cycle Lesson Title: Cnidarian Life Cycle Objectives Students will be able to differentiate between the various stages of the life cycle of a coral polyp Materials life cycle diagrams markers glue collage bits (beads, glitter, sequins, etc.) for decorating diagram Procedure 1. Familiarize students with background information 2. Hand out diagrams 3. Use markers and collage bits to decorate and label the diagram. Extensions and Variations: 1. For older students, have them cut-out the parts of the life cycle diagram and reassemble them in correct order on a separate sheet of paper. 2. Have students work in teams to create puppets for each phase of the cnidarian life cycle. Use student research along with the provided background information to include factors that influence coral polyp survival. Background Information Corals belong to the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes hydroids and jellyfish. The cnidarian life cycle is a bit confusing; almost all cnidarians are jellyfish and polyps at some point in their life. When a cnidarian isn’t really any particular thing, it is called a planula. A planula is a microscope blob of cells, a piece of plankton drifting about. Remember a planula is a piece of plankton, zooplankton, or animal plankton, to be precise. When you are so microscopic, life can be unforgiving. A whale shark could come along and gulp – goners! The currents could whisk you away to Antarctica. What if you’re just drifting over a sandy bottom and there are no big rocks or reefs to settle upon? Maybe you are drifting in an area that is so incredibly deep that the sun doesn’t shine. Wow, all of these factors could make it hard for such a little critter! Let’s say that a planula had good luck this time and drifted to the right spot, with the right temperature, the right amount of sunlight and the right substrate on the bottom for planula to attach. Finally our little planula will settle down and secrete a skeleton house, then transform into a polyp. Polyps are sessile, in other words, stuck, can’t move, frozen in place. Once a polyp is ready to start life, it goes through a strange reproduction, the seriously silly process of strobilation. To visualize strobilation, imagine a bamboo plant growing taller and taller in segments. Once the polyp is growing and growing like a bamboo, the segments at the end bud © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center and pinch off! Not only that, but they pinch themselves off in the shape of a six-sided star. These cool new star things are called ephyra. Ephyra cruise the ocean blue all the while metamorphosing into yet another stage! Slowly Ephyra grows into a medusa, that’s a fancy word for jellyfish-like! Now medusa can find other medusas and make eggs, lots of little eggs! These eggs grow and hatch into planula and we are right back where we started! Ephyra – Immature medusa of a cnidarian (almost always microscopic). Medusa – The free swimming body type of cnidarians resembling a gelatinous umbrella or bell with tentacles at its margins (commonly known as sea jellies). Plankton - Organisms that are suspended in the water column and are not able to swim against the currents. Therefore they rely on water movements for distribution and transport. Planula – The planktonic stage of a cnidarian when it is drifting about the ocean currents looking for a place to settle. Polyp – An individual cnidarian forming part of a colony. Strobilation – A budding stage in the reproductive cycle of cnidarians that produce ephyras. Zooplankton – Suspended mostly microscopic animals drifting in the water column. © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center POLYP SONG (follows itsy-bitsy spider melody) Drifting, and floating ma ka moana nui, Searching and seeking for the perfect space for me. Auwe – a whale shark! Watch out for his big mouth An ocean current saves me - mahalo for the sea. Settlement cues appearing everywhere around me This tropical climate will suit me very well. Where shall I settle? There’s lots of competition Among the different corals, only time will tell. Sessile on the bottom, I will start making Minerals to build my exoskeleton My tentacles are growing, I’m getting so much bigger Soon I will be a colony, that will be so fun. My tentacles, at night, I use for filter feeding I’m searching for the perfect zooxanthellae This special little algae will make me very happy I’ll keep it in my tissues - inside my belly. I am pinching off some buddies but we will stay connected Intercalical tissues are what keep us as one Together we make hale for all the reef’s critters We’re an ecosystem – one for all and all for one! Hawaiian Words Auwe (ah-way)– Oh my gosh! Hale (ha-lay)- house Ma ka (ma-kah)– locator phrase – indicates location Moana nui (moe-ah-na nu-E)– vast, deep ocean Mahalo (ma-ha-low)– thank you Definitions Calyx (Calices-plural) – cup shaped cavity or structure in which corals live (i.e. the exoskeleton of reef building coral polyps) Ecosystem – living factors in an environment with its associated abiotic factors Exoskeleton – skeleton of an animal that is external to the soft tissue Intercalical Tissue – tissue that connects coral polyps [outside of the calices] Planula- The planktonic larval stage of a coral when it is drifting about on ocean currents. © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center Sessile – animals that are permanently attached to the bottom and cannot move Settlement Cues – environmental factors that encourage larva to settle and begin developing. These include temperature, currents, wave action and sunlight. Zooxanthellae – symbiotic algae that are found in most corals. Feed off the coral's waste, and supply coral polyps with nutrients. Zooxanthellae also give coral its color. © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center Intercalical Communication Game Objective: The goals of this game are to demonstrate how coral polyps communicate within a colony through their intercalical tissues. This rudimentary form of communication allows polyps to thrive as a colony. Using intercalical tissues, polyps can alert one another when the feeding is good and also when danger is near. Materials : small object to represent zooxanthellae (ping pong ball, x-large pom pom, etc.); area large enough to accommodate all students sitting cross-legged in a circle; prop to represent a stress to coral ( a crown of thorns or other coralivore puppet) 1. Seat children cross-legged in a circle with knees touching to represent intercalical tissue. Each child represents a polyp. Remind the children they are sessile and cannot move around. 2. Give each child a small object to hold in his/her hands (tentacles) to represent zooxanthellae. (see suggestions from materials list above) 3. Lock arms tightly at elbows to represent intercalical tissue. 4. Use a prop to “stress” the polyp: fill a squirt bottle with “pollution” and squirt the polyps, or use a puppet or stuffed animal to act as a predator. 5. “Stress” a random polyp and ask them to release their zooxanthellae. 6. Whoever is “stressed” releases their zooxanthellae and puts their head and shoulders down, keeping arms locked tightly, this will pull on neighboring polyps. 7. Eventually the entire reef will collapse with polyps’ pulling/signaling one another. Definitions Calyx (Calices) – cup shaped cavity or structure (i.e. the exoskeleton of reef building coral polyps) Exoskeleton – a skeleton to an animal that is external to the soft tissue Intercalical Tissue – tissue that connects coral polyps [outside of the calices] Planula – microscopic planktonic larva Sessile – animals that are permanently attached to the bottom and cannot move Tentacle - an arm-like appendage used for locomotion, sensory perception and/or feeding. Zooxanthellae – symbiotic algae that are found in most corals, they feed of the coral's waste, and supply coral polyps with nutrients. Zooxanthellae also give coral its color. © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center Background Information Zooxanthellae are acquired through filter feeding and later stored in the polyp’s tissues. There are many different species of zooxanthellae and from time to time coral colonies may change species of their hosted zooxanthellae. When the zooxanthellae are lost, the polyps appear white, with only the calcium carbonate exoskeleton reflecting light and color. Zooxanthellae are released when the reef is under stress. Sources of stress include sedimentation, pollution, changes in temperature, changes in pH, changes in salinity or climatic change. It is possible for the reef to regain zooxanthellae and possibly find a species better suited to the adverse conditions, however the release of one may start a chain reaction with the entire colony expelling their zooxanthellae. When this happens, the colony most likely parishes due to lack of nutrients. Coral Reef Types Specific to Hawaii Reef Communities – non-structural reef composed of an assemblage (community) of non-connected, loose coral colonies. A reef community often represents the beginnings of a true coral reef or a habitat under intense disturbance where an actual fringing reef cannot develop. Example in Hawaii: Puna and Kalapana districts on Big Island (very young and prone to disturbance) Fringing Reefs – As coral colonies continue to grow and interact with other sessile organisms, a structural reef will appear directly offshore of sections of the island. Such a fringing reef includes an outwardly growing reef slope, a reef flat and may have channels cutting through it. Juvenile fringing reefs are often termed apron reefs; eventually a number of apron reefs grow together and form fringing reefs. Example in Hawaii: Kaupo district in Maui Specific Examples: Honolua Bay and Flemings, Maui Barrier Reefs – As an island continues to erode away and sink, the fringing reefs will appear to move farther and farther offshore. © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center Eventually a barrier reef will be formed separating a relatively large body of water (a lagoon) from the offshore circulation Example in Hawaii: Wai Kane and Kahana districts, O’ahu Specific Examples: Kane’ohe Bay, O’ahu Atolls – a ring or horseshoe-shaped reef surrounding an isolated body of water, the lagoon. Of the 330 know atolls, all but 9 of them are in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Atolls can range in size from over 2400 km2 (that’s roughly 1400 square miles for you non-metric types) for Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands to less than a couple km2 for a number of atolls in the Central Pacific. Example in Hawaii: Midway and Kure, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Northeast shores of the Hawaiian Islands tend to lack complex coral development due to Northeast trade winds and severe wave action. ** All definitions on this handout were taken from Guilko, D. Coral Reef Ecology. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu, HI © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center 1998. Hawaiian PLANKTON, NEKTON, BENTHOS Program Title: Plankton, Nekton, Benthos Program Theme: Coral Reef Communities Objectives Students will be able to identify marine organisms as plankton, nekton or benthos. Materials Plankton, Nekton, Benthos handout (to be included) Oceanic Organisms handout (to be included) Markers/crayons/scissors/glue sticks Bits (beads, glitter, sequins, etc.) for decorating diagram Procedure 1. Copy both handouts on separate papers and define the three categories: 2. Nekton or Pelagic- Animals with strong swimming capabilities that are able to swim against a current (e.g. adult fish, squid and marine mammals). Plankton- Organisms that are suspended in the water column and are not able to swim against the currents. Therefore they rely on water movements for distribution and transport. Benthos- Organisms living on or attached to the seafloor. 3. Students may color the animals, then cut and paste in the appropriate category. 4. Students may use small pieces of cardboard to give the critters a 3-D effect. Background Information Ocean critters can be divided into three specific groups: benthos, nekton and plankton. This division is based on swimming ability and where you are likely to find the organism in the water column. Benthos describes bottom dwellers and sessile or attached organisms. Some examples of benthos critters include, corals as polyps, sea cucumbers, octopus and sea stars. Nekton defines the ‘swimmers:’ any creature capable of independent movement against moving water is classified as nekton. Some examples include squid, fish and sharks. Nekton critters live in all areas of the ocean including inshore and offshore or pelagic waters. They can swim well and make use of their talents. Plankton on the other hand includes any organism that depends on the movement of water for locomotion and is not capable of moving against a current. Plankton is generally assumed to be microscopic, but this is not always the case. Drifting organisms as large as the Portuguese man-o-war will fall into this category. © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center There are basically two types of plankton: phytoplankton and zooplankton. Phytoplankton is sometimes overlooked but it’s very important, it is what drives the food web in the ocean. Phytoplankton makes its own food, like plants do. Zooplankton can’t make their own food, they rely upon the phytoplankton for their nourishment. Corals, in their planula stage fall into this group zooplankton. Definitions Pelagic – describes offshore, open ocean areas and the organisms that dwell there. Water column – spatial distribution of the ocean, usually stratified horizontally. Planktos - Greek for drifting or wandering Phytoplankton – plant-like, planktonic organisms with photosynthetic pigments Zooplankton – animal-like, planktonic organisms that consume organisms Planula- The planktonic stage of a cnidarian (coral) when it is drifting about on ocean currents. © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center CORAL REEF CONSERVATION The coral reef is generally viewed as a non-vital part of the ocean environment. Coral reefs are in fact a rarity, covering less than 1% of the ocean floor. Though scarce, coral reefs provide an extremely unique ecosystem serving many life functions in and around the reef. Coral reefs are often dubbed the “rainforests” of the sea, because of their extreme diversity and their important ecological role. Like the true rainforest, coral reefs deserve conservation measures to protect them from human impact. They provide food and shelter for the fish we eat and they protect our \\\ islands from erosion and wave damage. In addition medical technology is being derived from the coral reefs. For example the Mycrosporin like amino acids (MAA) found in coral have a SPF 50! Coral’s exoskeleton is being used for bone transplants because it has the same density, calcium and vascularity as human bone. Currently reefs face many threats from pollution, climate and even tourism. Runoff is a large pollutant here in Hawaii as are the tourists who damage the reef while snorkeling. Snorkelers sometimes touch and trample the reef. It’s easy to see why public education plays such an important role in protecting this valuable resource. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION HOW TO HELP: Keep learning as much as you can and share your knowledge with others. Put your sunscreen on early. Not only will you be better protected; the lotion will have more time to absorb into your skin instead of washing off you and onto the reef. Don’t touch or step on the reef. Though it looks and feels like a rock, coral is a live animal and very delicate too! Just by touching or standing on the reef you can kill hundreds of tiny polyps. Plant trees, flowers or shrubs in your own yard to prevent erosion. With less mud exposed, there will be less sediment washed into the sea Try to buy organic foods and products when possible. Organic farming doesn’t use pesticides therefore the runoff is less harmful to the sea, plus it is better for you. Other organic soaps and household products that eventually wash down the drain are less harmful than non-organic products. Check out seventh generation products at www.seventhgeneration.com or © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center look in your local drug store for Burt’s Bees products, such as environmentally friendly soaps and insect repellent. FIELD TRIP IDEAS Go to the ocean… or bring the ocean to you! Take a trek to your nearest tropical ocean for a first hand peek at the coral reefs. Maui’s offshore environment is teaming with coral reefs. Snorkeling is great almost anywhere off of Maui, but some of the more popular sites include the Wailea coast, Olowalu (mile marker 14), Kaanapali, and Honolua Bay. Some families might have traveled to the Caribbean, S. Florida, or Hawaii and have pictures to share for a make believe journey through the coral reef. For this activity bring in dried (and dead) bits of coral that have washed ashore, sand, pictures, plastic animal models, etc. to inspire inquiry observation. Recordings or waves, sea birds and other ocean sounds help to transform the students to an ocean state-of-mind (check our store website www.pacificwhale.org for available CDs). Guide them through a fantasy swim above the reef; talk about turtles, different fish, sponges, octopus, and many other animals. Describe the ocean current, the stinging tentacles of a cnidarian. Each child could be a different animal... Some may chose plankton, fish, sessile animals, etc. Visit an ancient ocean... Do some research of your local area and you may just find it was underwater. Research ancient animals that could have inhabited your present neighborhood. Be © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center sure to include climate changes and pictures of the fossil record. Most aquariums offer "Virtual Tours" that are full of pictures and links. The Monterey Bay aquarium, the Waikiki Aquarium and others have live cameras either in exhibits or in the open ocean. 3. Maui Ocean Center - www.mauioceancenter.com 4. Monterey Bay Aquarium - www.mbayaq.org/ 5. Waikiki Aquarium - www.waquarum.otted.hawaii.edu/ 6. National Geographic’s Critter Cam www.nationalgeographic.com/features/98/crittercam/ If you live on Maui or next time you are visiting, call Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Science Discovery Center to find dates and times of our next Full Moon Tidepool Exploration and other interactive programs. (808) 244-8391 or 1(800) WHALE-1-1. © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES Background Information and Current Issues Facing Coral Reefs EPA - www.epa.gov/ow Protect Marine Life ioc.unesco.org/IYO/classroom/protect_marine_life.htm Save Our Seas - www.planet.hawaii.com/sos/ Reef Relief - www.reefrelief.org/ NOAA Coral Health and Monitoring Program - www.coral.noaa.gov/ Teaching Resources National Science Teacher’s Association – www.nsta.org Lawrence Hall of Science – www.lhs.berkely.edu NOAA Resource Guide for Teachers of Marine Science www.swfsc.ucsd.edu/bibliography/ELEMBK2.htm National Marine Educators Association - http://www.marine-ed.org Aquariums to Visit Maui Ocean Center, Ma’alaea, Maui John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL. Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, CA. Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Pittsburgh, PA. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma, WA. Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, BC, Canada Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu, ‘Oahu *If you live on Maui or are visiting, be sure to check out Hawaii’s Aquatic Journey at Maui Ocean Center: www.mauioceancenter.com © Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery Center