Coral Bleaching Mentor: Dr. Kettenring Presentation: Kyra Jean Cipolla

Overview What is so special about coral reefs? What is coral bleaching? How is it caused? Can corals recover from coral bleaching? Why should anyone care if coral reefs disappear?

Coral Reefs NOT A PLANT! Comprised of hundreds of thousands of individual animals, called polyps. Found throughout the oceans, from deep, cold waters to shallow, tropical waters. Reefs are the largest living structure on the planet & the only living structure to be visible from space.

Symbiotic Relationship with Zooxanthellae Tiny photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae live on the polyps. The coral provide zooxanthellae with a protected environment while zooxanthellae supply the coral with glucose. Zooxanthellae are responsible for the beautiful colors of many corals.

Importance of Coral Reefs Although coral reef ecosystems take up less than 0.1% of the ocean, approx. 25%-40% of all marine species relies on them “Rainforests of the Sea” Scientists have developed medical treatments from resources found in coral reefs. For example, secosteroids, an enzyme used by corals to protect themselves from disease, is used to treat asthma, arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.

What is coral bleaching? When water temperatures rise, the zooxanthellae produce toxic compounds. The coral expel their zooxanthellae which cause them to lose color. If the bleaching is short- term, corals can recover as algae recolonize, but if the bleaching lasts too long, corals starve to death.

What will happen as more reefs die off? Countless species including many types of fish will perish Beaches and buildings would become vulnerable to wave action and storm damage Lose potential compounds that could be used for life-saving drugs Decrease tourism-numerous local & global businesses will suffer Reefs also protect the highly productive wetlands along the coast

Recovery Very few coral reefs may develop “reef resilience” in which is the ability for coral reefs to recover from bleaching. Some factors that may increase the reef’s chance of survival: Water depth Complexity of shape Nutrient levels Amount of grazing by fish

Research Scientists estimate that there may be another 1 to 8 million undiscovered species of organisms living in and around reefs. Not all bleaching happens in warm water. In Jan 2010, a cold-water coral bleaching event in the Florida Keys occurred. There are different warming patterns in certain parts of the world and I hope to explore how they affect coral reefs

Questions? ICRI Secretariat. What are Corals? :Ministry of the Environment;. reefs/what-are-coralshttp:// reefs/what-are-corals "Biodiversity." Coral Reef Alliance. Coral Reef Alliance, Web. 14 Feb /why-care-about-reefs/biodiversity/ 101/why-care-about-reefs/biodiversity/ "Oceans & Coasts | Marine Conservation | The Nature Conservancy."Oceans & Coasts | Marine Conservation | The Nature Conservancy. Nature, Web.14Feb /index.htm /index.htm "Corals." NOAA National Ocean Service Education:. NOAA, Web. 14 Feb _importance.html 7_importance.html "Corals." Zooxanthellae...What's That. N.p., Web. 14 Feb ral02_zooxanthellae.html ral02_zooxanthellae.html