Coral Reef Impacts Notepage/Study Guide
Fill in this document with the appropriate information from student presentations and discussion. If a portion of this is not completed, ask the
participant for clarification. That particular case may not have that information readily available
Basic Abiotic Effects:
Nutrient Load
Water Clarity
Coral Cover
Total fish
species
Additional facts: (at least one per)
Control/healthy
coral reef
Logging
Sewage
Agriculture
Temperature
Increased storm
severity
pH
Species that benefited?
Control/healthy
coral reef
Logging
Sewage
Agriculture
Temperature
Increased storm
severity
pH
Species Harmed
Additional facts (at least one)
Questions to ask and answer:
1. What causes coral bleaching?
2. What is ocean acidification and what causes it?
3. If the pH goes from 8.3 which is normal to 7.6, is that becoming more acidic or basic?
4. When you were in PMS you may have done an experiment showing the results of adding hydrochloric acid to sea shells. The acid
corrodes the calcium chloride in the shells. Why would making the ocean water more acidic be harmful to coral and marine invertebrate
exoskeletons?
5. How does increased sewage increase the nutrient load of the coral reef?
6. What happens to the algae when there is increased nutrients/sewage in the water?
7. Explain how the above situation affects the algae, parrotfish, and sea urchins.
8. Why does logging (removing trees) cause an increase in sediment load, nutrient load and water clarity?