1. Lesson 2: Wonders of coral Become an ocean explorer (ages 11-14)

2. There are a lot of different scales on the coral reef… These tiny algae live inside the coral tissue providing energy. They measure just a few  m or microns across. Compare that to the entire Great Barrier Reef stretching 2,300km along the coast of Australia.

3. Reef mosaic Coral reef Habitat zone Habitat patch Coral colony Coral branch Coral polyp Algae (zooxanthellae)        Coral reef scales from largest (1) – smallest (8)

4. There are different habitat zones on the reef. These are areas that have different environmental conditions. Wave strength Exposure at low tide Amount of sunlight

5. There are different habitat zones on the reef. These are areas that have different environmental conditions. Wave strength Exposure at low tide Amount of sunlight Encrusting coral is suited to the reef crest because it is resistant to the power of the waves.

6. How did you place the corals on your diagram? Can you give reasons for where you put them? Wave strength Exposure at low tide Amount of sunlight

7. Dive 2 – Wonders of coral -We are going on a 15 minute dive around Opal Reef -Your mission is to complete two coral surveys, identifying the different types that you can see -Before your dive we are going to practise coral identification

12. Survey Site 1 – Opal Reef

13. Survey Site 2 – Opal Reef

14. Survey Site 1 – Opal Reef

15. Survey Site 2 – Opal Reef

16. Dive 2 log -Complete your dive log -How are coral ecosystems varied? -Remember to get your log signed by your buddy and dive master

17. SlidePhotoCredit 2, 3ZooxanthellaeEmma Kennedy (University of Exeter) 2MapGoogle 3Reef mosaicNASA 3Coral reefNASA 3Coral polypOIST 4, 5Reef skectch Digital Explorer All other images and photos Catlin Seaview Survey Photo credits