1. Coral Reefs

2. What is Coral? GIANT STRUCTURES built by tiny creatures GIANT STRUCTURES built by tiny creatures Some reef systems are so huge that they can be seen from outer space Some reef systems are so huge that they can be seen from outer space

3. What is Coral? All coral is made up of tiny individuals called POLYPS All coral is made up of tiny individuals called POLYPS A polyp is a TINY ANIMAL that looks like an upside down jelly fish!! A polyp is a TINY ANIMAL that looks like an upside down jelly fish!! They eat PLANKTON They eat PLANKTON

4. A Polyp Mouth Tentacle Stomach Skeleton

5. A plant lives in the Coral? Each polyp has within its body a PLANT Each polyp has within its body a PLANT This plant is a special algae called ZOOXANTHELLAE This plant is a special algae called ZOOXANTHELLAE These plants PHOTOSYTHESISE and provide more food for the polyp These plants PHOTOSYTHESISE and provide more food for the polyp

6. Such a mutually beneficial relationship is called SYMBIOSIS? What does the Polyp get? What does the Polyp get? Food!! Food!! What does the Algae get? What does the Algae get? Somewhere to live!! Somewhere to live!!

7. Fish, crabs, snails, worms and other reef creatures depend on the health and growth of the coral reef for their existence Fish, crabs, snails, worms and other reef creatures depend on the health and growth of the coral reef for their existence Other reef creatures live on and eat the Coral….

8. Threats Natural Threats to the Reef in Statia Natural Threats to the Reef in Statia Strong waves Strong waves Hurricanes Hurricanes Coral Predators (Parrot Fish, Hawksbill Turtles) Coral Predators (Parrot Fish, Hawksbill Turtles) Coral Disease (white band/black band disease killing the elk horn coral) Coral Disease (white band/black band disease killing the elk horn coral) Competition (from algae) Competition (from algae) Bleaching Bleaching

9. Threats Human Threats to the Reef in Statia Human Threats to the Reef in Statia Pollution (oil, oil spills, sewage, garbage) Pollution (oil, oil spills, sewage, garbage) Anchors from Oil Tankers Anchors from Oil Tankers Fish Traps Fish Traps Reef Tourism (dive tourism) Reef Tourism (dive tourism)

10. How can we help the coral reefs? Marine Reserves Marine Reserves Diver awareness (supervised diving) Diver awareness (supervised diving) Education Education Research and Monitoring Research and Monitoring