Coral Ecosystems

Shown is an illustration of two coral polyps. One is shown as a front view and one as a cross-section.

A polyp has an elongated sac-like body that ends in thick finger-like projections. These projections are labelled as tentacles. On the tentacles are small, oval shapes. These are labelled as nematocysts. Nematocysts are stinging cells. The body is shown cut away. The interior has an hourglass shape. The shading in the interior transitions, top down, from red to yellow to blue. The region shaded red is labelled as the mouth. The region shaded yellow is labelled as the mouth and the region shaded blue is labelled as the stomach.

Shown are two colour illustrations of a fringed reef. The image on the left shows an island with a volcano, palm trees and a sandy beach. Around the island, and close to shore, are some vaguely oval, greenish shapes which are labelled as coral. The image on the right is a side view of the same island. The water level is about two thirds of the way up the island. Growing up from the sides of the island are coral formations. They come up to just above the surface of the water. One one side this is labelled as coral.

Shown are two colour illustrations of a barrier reef.
The image on the left shows a small island with only the top of an old volcano above the water line. Around the island, somewhat away from shore, are some vaguely oval, greenish shapes which are labelled as coral.
The image on the right is a side view of the same island. The water level is about three quarters of the way up the island. Growing up from the sides of the island are coral formations. They come up to just above the surface of the water. One one side this is labelled as coral. Between the top of the coral formation and the island is water labeled as a lagoon.

Shown are two colour illustrations of an atoll.
The image on the left shows a pale blue area of water surrounded by a ring of vaguely oval, greenish shapes which are labelled as coral.
The image on the right is a side view of the same place. There is a peak of an old volcano below the water level. Growing up from the sides and covering the top of the volcano are coral formations. The outer edges of the formation come up to just above the surface of the water. One one side of the formation is labelled as coral. Between the raised parts of the coral is a body of water labelled as a lagoon.

Shown is a colour photograph of one part of the Great Barrier Reef. A dark blue channel can be seen along the left side and top of the image. The rest of the picture is a pale turquoise blue in which gray branching structures are visible in the shallow water. These are the stony structures of the corals.

Shown is an infographic describing different impacts climate change can have on coral reef ecosystems. There are six panels with text and illustrations.

The first vertical panel has a top down colour gradient from blue to purple and text that indicates when oceans warm, there is greater stress from heat. This stress can lead to coral bleaching, infection and disease. Two whiteish corals are shown.

The second blue vertical panel has a pale blue area and text that indicates that with climate change come changing storm patterns which can result in stronger storms. Two brownish corals are shown.

The third vertical panel has a top down colour gradient from blue to tan and text that indicates as sea levels rise, more sediments are washed into oceans.This can result in corals being buried in sediment. Two tan-coloured corals are shown.

The fourth panel has a top down colour gradient from bright green to blue and text that indicates with more precipitation comes increased runoff from land. This runoff can result in algal blooms which can reduce the amount of light that coral can access. Two plants are shown.

The fifth panel has a swirly gradient of blues and tans and text that indicates when ocean currents change there can be changes in water temperature patterns. This means that corals may not be able to access as much food. Two colourful coral are shown.

The sixth panel has a top down colour gradient from blue to red and text that indicates when with increased carbon dioxide levels, the pH of the ocean goes down. This means that the ocean becomes more acidic. This can result in weaker coral. Two corals on their sides are shown.

Shown is an infographic about coral bleaching.Three illustrations of corals are shown.
On the left is an illustration of what is identified as a healthy coral. It is dark green in colour. Shown in closeup are green algae living on the polyps. Below this is text explaining that coral and algae depend on each other.

In the centre is an illustration of what is identified as stressed coral. It is pale green in colour. Shown in closeup are algae moving away from the polyps. Below this is text explaining that when stressed, the algae leave the coral.

On the right is an illustration of what is identified as bleached coral. It is white in colour. Shown in closeup are an absence of algae and white polyps. Below this is text explaining that without their algae, coral turn white.

Shown is a colour photograph of a large expanse of bleached staghorn coral. The extensively branching coral ranges from white to gray.

Shown is an infographic that describes10 ways to protect coral reefs.
1. Beside an icon of a fish on a plate is the text, "Choose sustainable seafood. Learn how to make smart seafood choices at www.fishwatch.gov."

2. Beside an icon of a tap dripping water is the text, "Conserve Water. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually find their ways back into the ocean."

3. Beside an icon of three raised hands is the text, "Volunteer! Volunteer in local beach or reef cleanups. If you don't live near the coast, get involved in protecting your watershed."

4. Overlaid on an icon of a present is the text, "corals are already a gift. Don't give them as presents." Below this is text explaining that "It takes corals decades or longer to create reef structures, so leave them on the reef."

5. Beside an icon of a CF lightbulb is the text, "Long-lasting light bulbs are a bright idea. Energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change is one of the leading threats to coral reef survival."

6. Above an icon of a snorkel and dive mask is the text, "If you dive, don't touch. Coral reefs are alive. Stirred-up sediment can smother corals."

7. Beside an icon of a sunscreen bottle and a checklist on a clipboard is the text, "Check sunscreen active ingredients. Seek shade between 10 am & 2 pm, use Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) sunwear, and choose sunscreens with chemicals that don’t harm marine life. For more information, visit oceanservice.noaa.gov/sunscreen"

8. Beside an icon of a water bottle is the text, "Be a marine crusader. In addition to picking up your own trash, carry away the trash that others have left behind."

9. Beside an icon of a squirt bottle is the text, "Don't send chemicals into our waterways. Nutrients from excess fertilizer increase algae growth that blocks sunlight to corals."

10. Beside an icon of a rowboat, some coral and the NOAA logo is the text, " Practice safe boating. Anchor in sandy areas away from coral and sea grasses so that the anchor and chain do not drag on nearby corals."