What's Killing the Coral?
You are part of a team of specialists whose mission is to determine what is causing an increase in diseases and death
among reef-building corals and how humans can work to reverse this trend. Your team has been invited to make a
presentation at an international conference where other teams will be competing for project funding. Will your
presentation earn your project funding?
The Task
Since the 1980’s, diseases of reef-building corals have been increasing and are causing widespread death of important
species of stony corals. Some of the diseases may be related to biological agents such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoans.
Other coral diseases may be a response to changes in abiotic factors such as changes in sea temperature, ultraviolet
radiation levels, pH and sedimentation. Could the biological factors actually be aided by changes in abiotic conditions?
Can a change in human activity slow down the loss of the world’s coral reefs? That’s what your team of scientist would
like to know.
Your task is to:
1. find out what is causing the death of reef-building corals
2. investigate methods for reversing the trend
3. present a proposal that will increase and sustain coral reef populations so that they do not become threatened,
endangered, or extinct
Your presentation must include graphics and visual organizers. Presentations must be in Power Point.
The Process
Your team will:
1. research the anatomy, physiology and diseases of reef-building corals
2. research the geographic distribution of coral reef species
3. research the human dependence and effect on coral reef habitats
4. research sustainable management of coral reefs
5. develop a plan to study the effect of one method of reversing coral reef loss
6. create a presentation to secure funding for your study
You have been assigned a task (1-4) to complete individually. You will work together to complete tasks 5 and 6.
Task 1. The Anatomy, Physiology and Diseases of Reef-Building Corals
The Question: Why are the populations of reef-building corals so sensitive to diseases? What causes coral bleaching?
What diseases threaten reef-building corals? Use the Diseases essay at NOAA to answer these questions. Does coral
anatomy make them susceptible to diseases? Explore the biology and anatomy of reef-building corals at NOAA. (Explain
coral anatomy in your project.) You can use the following URLs to help you get started: http://coris.noaa.gov/about/,
http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/coral/index.htm,
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/welcome.html
Task 2. Geographic Distribution of Reef-Building Corals
The Question: Where in the world are coral reefs found (give specific locations)? Why are coral reefs restricted to these
areas? Include at least four abiotic factors, such as temperature and light, and discuss the viable ranges of these factors
in detail and how the factors affect the sustainability of coral and coral reefs.
To find the geographic distribution use the map at ReefRelief to display reef locations. Use the information at this site to
explain how geography may be affecting the survival of coral species.
You can use the following URLs to help you get started: http://reefrelief.org/learn/reef-hot-spots/,
http://reefrelief.org/threats-to-coral-reefs/, http://www.coral.org/resources/about_coral_reefs/threats_to_coral_reefs,
Task 3. Human dependence and threats on Reef-Building Corals
The Question: Why are coral reefs important to humans? What are the anthropogenic threats (from humans) on corals
reefs?
Humans may not eat coral, but humans depend on coral reefs and may not even know it. Find out why they are so
important to humans.
You can use the following URLs to help you get started: http://www.coral.org/resources/about_coral_reefs/why_care,
http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/coral/index.htm,
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/corals/coral07_importance.html,
Task 4. Sustainable Management Methods
The Question: What are some possible sustainable management methods? What are people doing to stop damage and
regrow reefs?
Managing and sustaining global reefs may require many strategies. What are the hazards to coral reefs? Find out what is
being done to mitigate coral reef loss aid in recovery of damaged reefs. Choose one method as the focus of your
research project design. The United States is involved in coral reef preservation through the United States Geological
Survey, NOAA, and the EPA. Many universities are engaged in reef research. Private organizations include ReefRelief.
You may also choose a specific reef in which to focus your recovery/management efforts.
Use the following URL to get started: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral11_protecting.html
http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/fact4.cfm
Task 5. The Plan
Since you are a team of research scientists, your plan will need the following parts:
1. Research question- State the question that your research project will answer.
2. Background information- Provide information that someone would need to know in order to understand your plan. Be
sure to cite sources of information. This is the place to put information about coral reef anatomy, geographic
distribution, human dependence on coral reefs, and sustainable management methods. (Be sure you only put what
relates to your project.)
3. Hypothesis- A statement that describes the expected outcome of your project.
4. Materials- What you will need to conduct your research or implement your project and why these are essential.
5. Procedure- List the steps you would take to conduct your research.
6. Why your team thinks the plan will work- Link this to coral reef survival and sustainability. Show a cause and effect
relationship.
Use your background research to support this!
Task 6. The Presentation
Now it's time to sell your plan. There's only so much money to go around. Will your presentation convince the
foundation to fund your plan? Your presentation should include all the elements of your team's plan. Use visual aids.
These might include maps, pictures, charts, tables, and/or an outline of key points. The presentation must be done in
Power Point.
Each person should be responsible for presenting at least one part of the plan.
Your presentation should be about how AND WHY your idea will reduce damage and aid in recovery of coral reefs?
Last Slide must say- Any questions???? You will need to be prepared to ask and answer questions during presentations.
Conclusion:
After presentations, each group will need to answer the following conclusion questions on a separate sheet of paper.
Conservation of coral reefs is complicated by direct human activity and indirect effects on the global climate.
Sustainability is the concept that current needs may be met without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet
their needs.
1) What human needs or wants are met by the sustaining coral reefs?
2) What were some of the economic considerations that you needed to understand?
3) What where some of the cultural considerations that you needed to understand?
4) What actions can you personally take to save the coral reefs?
5) What actions could your class take to save coral reefs?
Grading Rubric
Research
Notes
(40)
The Plan
(powerpoint)
(40)
The
Presentation
(presenters)
(20)
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
1-10
11-20
21--30
31-40
Notes are cut and paste
copies from websites.
Notes:

have some
organization.

reflect original writing.

are handwritten.

may or may not have
source citations.
Notes:

are organized with
bullets,

reflect original
writing,

exhibit partial
understanding,

have source citations.
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
1-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
Plan is incomplete or has
a weak background
section and/ or weak
plan. Poor use of factual
information. Exhibits
little understand of the
problems that coral reefs
face.
Plan has all elements.
Background shows some
understanding of the
problems that coral reefs
face. Explanation of why
the plan will work is weak.
Cause and effect may not
be clear.
Plan has all the elements.
Elements have a logical
flow. Background is linked
to project plan. Some
elements could be
stronger. Citations may be
incomplete.
Plan has all the elements.
Elements have a logical
flow. Background is
clearly linked to and
supports project plan.
Citations are included and
correct. Cause and effect
is clear.
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
1-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
Presentation is
complete. Speakers
demonstrate knowledge of
the problem and can
clearly state the cause
and effect relationship.
Graphics support the
speaker.
Speakers demonstrate
knowledge of the problem
and an understanding of
the cause and effect to be
studied. Graphics support
the speaker. The speaker
sells the plan using good
speech techniques such as
eye contact, vocal
projection, and
enunciation.
Presentation notes are
read. Graphics weakly
support the speech.
Presentation is complete,
but has some
weaknesses. Graphics
may support the speaker,
but may have some errors
or lack of relevance.





Score
Notes:
are organized as
questions and
answers with bullets
exhibit clear
understanding
reflect original writing
have source
citations..
Score
Score