Download Ashley George February 11, 2010 ESS Analysis – Coral Reefs Prior

Ashley George
February 11, 2010
ESS Analysis – Coral Reefs
Prior Knowledge
Coral reefs are like the garden beds of the ocean. They are colorful, expansive growths that rest
on the ocean’s bottom. Most coral reefs are visible when they are located on a sandbar, where
the ocean floor is very high, revealing sand from an aerial view. Coral reefs have a wide variety
of color and looked like plant-shaped aerated rocks. I do not know what coral reefs are actually
composed of. Coral reefs are living organisms and take a very long time to develop. When I
went snorkeling in Hawaii, our instructor told us that just the reef grows about 5 centimeters a
year. Keep in mind that coral reefs can be larger than a football field, with the largest one found
being 6000 years old. For this slow growth rate reason, it is very important that snorkelers do
not damage the coral reef by stepping down with their flippers.
The coral reef is home to a large population of smaller fish and other undersea animals. The
coral reef protects the prey from larger fish and other predators because they cannot fit into
the small holes of the reef.
ESS Analysis
A>E: The growth of the coral reef is dependent upon the amount of sunlight it receives.
H>E: The ocean water creates a hospitable growing environment for the coral reefs.
E>B: The coral reef provides shelter and protection for fish from their various predators that
cannot fit into the small concaves of the reef.
Questions
What material are coral reefs made out of?
How do coral reefs form?
Where do coral reefs form?
Why do coral reefs take so long to form?
What different colors make up the coral reef?
How do oil spills affect coral reef growth and health?
Do coral reefs need sunlight to grow? What else do they need to exist?
What kinds of fish live in the coral reef?
Are coral reef edges sharp?
What can destroy coral reefs?
Are there any dangers in coral reefs?
Where is the largest coral reef located?
Do coral reefs only form in tropical atmospheres?
Are coral reefs documented (size, location, growth rate)?
Can scientists simulate the growth of coral reefs and make manmade coral reefs?
Are coral reefs able to survive extremely low in the ocean or is the temperature too cold?
What do coral reefs feed off of?
Why do coral reefs have small holes?
What types of organisms live in the small holes?