I love to go snorkeling, although I don’t get many chances to do it. One of my favorite places to snorkel is by a coral reef that is pretty much beach-side. In my opinion, that keeps you out of the way of a shark’s path! (And other scary creatures!) This week’s puzzle is on coral reefs and their importance to our ecosystem.
1. How much of the Earth's surface do coral reefs cover, and how much of the marine fish species do they support? Coral reefs cover: less than one percent; one percent to five percent; 25 percent; More than 50 percent. Coral reefs support: one percent; 50 percent; 25 percent; 24 percent.
2. What are the benefits of coral reefs? Protecting coastal areas from erosion; its porous limestone skeleton is used as a material for human bone grafts; treatment of HIV, cardiovascular diseases and ulcers; all of the above.
3. How much of the coral reef ecosystem will be destroyed by year 2050? 50 percent; 70 percent; five percent; 99 percent.
4. What are the threats to our coral reefs? Global climate change;
destructive fishing methods; pollution; all of the above.
5. How much do coral reefs contribute to the world’s economy annually? $37.5 billion; $3.75 billion; $375 billion; $370 billion.
6. What of these are destructive fishing practices? Overfishing; blast fishing; cyanide fishing; all of the above.
7. What are coral reefs made out of? Coral polyps; plankton; zaoxanthellae; tentacles.
8. True or false: The coral is dead once it's bleached.
9. What makes coral reefs bleach? They get too big; there are too many fish; the temperature and salinity in the water changes; they want to be camouflaged with the ocean floor.
10. True or false: Coral reefs live mostly in shallow water.
Answers
1. Although coral reefs cover less than one percent of the Earth’s surface, they are home to 25 percent of all marine fish species. 2. All of the above. 3. 70 percent. 4. As ocean temperatures increase (as a result of climate change), many coral reefs are a target of a phenomenon known as bleaching. This causes corals to expel the colorful algae that live within them and will cause the death of the corals if the algae don't return. 5. Coral reefs provide an estimated $375 billion per year around the world in goods and services. 500 million people rely on coral reefs for their food and livelihoods. 6. All of the above. Destructive fishing methods are considered to be one of the largest immediate threats to coral reef ecosystems. Unlike natural disturbances or non-point source pollution, destructive fishing practices can be mitigated by adopting alternative methods to reduce damage to the coral and result in more sustainable fisheries. 7. Coral polyps. 8. False. Coral can expel the algae that live with them, and the white calcium carbonate underneath shows through the clear coral polyps, (bleaching). However, coral can revive after bleaching, although but it might take awhile. 9. Temperature and salinity in the water changes. Coral are sensitive and don't do well in water changes. Rising temperatures and acidic water can cause bleaching of the coral. 10. True. Because the algae that live with reef-building corals depend on the sun for energy, coral reef are only in shallow, clear water. However, soft corals don't necessarily have those algae, and can be found in shallow or deep water.