Student 1
Smart Student
Mrs.Churchill
Comm. Studies
19 October 2014
Student Example: Informative speech for Coral Reef Ecology
Summer of 2013, my family and I were spending a month overseas in the Dominican
Republic. While we were at our resort, my dad came up with this spontaneous idea to take my
brothers and I scuba diving. So we suited up and heading out to the beach, took a boat, and drove
in as soon as we hit the coral reef. The life and the sea animals under the water were just
incredible, beyond explanation. I was so sad we didn’t have an underwater camera at the time; it
would have made for some outstanding pictures. However, I am not able to show everyone the
scenery and sea life I witnessed, I can inform the audience on the origins, species, and conditions
of coral reef ecology throughout the world.
Coral reefs flourish all over the world, reaching from areas in the Caribbean Sea to the
Indian Ocean, Great Barrier Reef, Red Sea, Pacific Ocean, etc. Such places serve as homes to
over 9 million different species. The initial structure of the reefs originates from special calcium
carbonate structures secreted by corals. As time progresses, coral reefs build up with a hard layer
and serve as a diverse ecosystem to much marine life. Some of the biggest coral reefs, such as
the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia, expend for about 1,500 miles across the ocean.
New reefs grow everyday and spread across the ocean floor filling up with marine life.
Millions of species thrive within the regions of coral reefs, either living on or around the
reefs. Scientists estimate that there is still around 5 million undiscovered species living in such
ecosystems. Since the environment is so vast the main species of coral reefs are categorized into
Student 2
vertebrates (with a backbone) and invertebrates (without a backbone). Some of the main
vertebrate species found in coral reefs are: fishes (clown fish, angelfish, triggerfish, snappers,
etc.), sea snakes, sea turtles, dugongs and manatees. Common invertebrates in the same regions
consist of: corals, sponges, echinoderms, mollusks, and crustaceans. However, the numbers of
species within this habit are slowing decreasing as the reefs are introduced by means of
pollution.
Although conditions in which coral reefs are photographed where they appear to be
healthy and clean, in reality it in not always the case. According to the NOAA Coral Reef
Conservation Program only 46% of the world’s reefs at considered to be in a healthy state. And
20% of the world’s original coral reef area has been lost. Waste from cities and urban life, such
as sewage, oil spillage, and agrochemicals poison reefs by destroying the coral and its
inhabitants. And some specific types of chemicals released into the water can cause an
overgrowth in algae or other sea plants, which eventually cuts off all sunlight by “smothering”
the reef. Overfishing around coral reefs can really affect the balance of life in the fish
communities, food chain, and cause for the extinction of a species. Some natural issues that
contribute to the slow decreasing in of coral reefs are global warming, as in leading to an
increase in coral bleaching, and climate change, as corals cannot survive if the water temperature
varies drastically in one certain area. Scientists are hoping to put out more laws to aid the
protection of coral reefs and their natural ecosystem.
Coral reef ecology is full of wonders, beauty, and mystery. Originating from small carbon
fibers and corals, to grow into vast and long environments filled with millions of species and half
of the world’s reefs still remain in full health. And maybe one day, if you haven’t already, will
be able to experience the true marvels of the coral reefs as I only did.
Student 3
Works Cited
"Coral Reef Animals." Coral Reef Facts. William Alevizon, 2010. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.coral-reef-info.com/coral-reef-animals.html>.
"Coral Reef: Ecology." WWF Global. WWF Web Team, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.
<http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/coasts/coral_reefs/coral_reef_ecolog
y/>.
"Coral Reefs." WWF Global. WWF Web Team, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.
<http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/coasts/coral_reefs/>.
"Habitats: Coral Reefs - Location/Reef Life." Office of Naval Research. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct.
2014. <http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/habitats/coral2.htm>.
Kids Do Ecology. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.
<http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/coralreef.html>.
"Species on Coral Reefs." Microdocs. Microdocs Project, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.
<http://web.stanford.edu/group/microdocs/species.html>.
"Status of Corals." NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. National Ocean Service, n.d. Web.
19 Oct. 2014. <http://coralreef.noaa.gov/conservation/status/>.