Coral Reefs

The Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef.pptx

The following slides contain a series of lessons to be completed for the case study on Coral Reefs.

Lesson 1

Slides 1-15.

Lesson 1 - Slides 1 -15

Task 1 - Kahoot.

Task 2 - ClickView and comprehension questions.

Task 3 - Practice exam questions.

Comprehension Questions.pdf

Lesson 2 - Slide 16 - 31

Biophysical Interactions including:

the dynamics of weather and climate
geomorphic and hydrological processes
biogeographical processes
adjustments to natural stress

Task 1

Using the slides and hyperlinks in the PowerPoint above, summarise and create a mind map/ knowledge organiser of all the biophysical interactions associated with coral reefs.

You will be provided with an A3 template.

Task 2 - Homework

Atomi - Biophysical Interactions (part 1 & 2)

Quiz part 1 & 2

Lesson 3: Friday 17/11 double

The nature and rate of change which affects ecosystems functioning.

Coral reefs, like all ecosystems, naturally change over time. However, coral reefs are also changed by activities on land (human-induced) that add nutrients and sediments to the ocean, increase air pollution, and contribute to climate change.

To observe the natural and human-caused changes on coral reefs, scientists in the National Park Service Pacific Island Network Inventory and Monitoring program monitor coral reefs by recording changes in coral cover, fish populations, species diversity, coral bleaching events, and disease events.

By observing the key features of an ecosystem over time (monitoring), scientists discover long-term trends on coral reefs. Since climate change is a long-term trend, monitoring is a good tool for understanding how it impacts coral reefs.

Monitoring and observation are not new concepts. For centuries, Pacific islanders observed the ocean and coral reefs. These observations led to discoveries about currents, tides, life histories of marine organisms, and sustainable fishing practices that were passed down from generation to generation. In many ways, the Pacific island peoples were scientists before science became part of our vocabulary. Today, we still learn through observation, and scientists use these observations to monitor changes in coral reef health. Check out Notes from the Field to see how scientists today make observations and collect data for monitoring.

Copy the following diagrams into your workbook.

Collaborative class note taking and summary:

Unit 3.2 - Textbook (pages 85-90)

Answer the following questions: Q1-4

Traditional and Contemporary Management Practices

Traditional

Species monitoring
- Turtle Monitoring Program
Fishing techniques
- Low intensity fishing techniques were/are used in line with the concept of subsistence, where communities only take as much as they need.
Totems
Taboos
- Particular sites and species are taboo in certain communities. This provides protection for these areas or species.
Nomadic Lifestyle
Controlled access to Reefs
Reef and lagoon tenure (traditional ownership)
- tribes have rights over particular reefs

- fishing rights are in particular areas at particular times based on local knowledge of seasons, phases of the moon and spawning seasons.

Traditional Owners

Traditional management strategies- coral reefs.pdf

Contemporary

Legislation
- Legislation specific to the GBR
- General legislation - Commonwealth
- General legislation - Queensland
- International Conventions
- Government Policy
Education
- Large indoor coral aquarium with large screen presentations of the reef and its protection. Tour guides must be trained to ensure that impacts from tourists are minimised.
Zoning
- The GBR Marine Park has several different types of zoning. It allows fishing only in certain areas, puts limits in place for traditional hunting of turtles, dugongs, etc, fishing limits (size and number). Commercial fishing is only allowed in certain areas.
- "No-take" zones
- Preservation Zones and Scientific Research Zones - only controlled scientific research is allowed.
- Marine National Park Zones - major uses permitted are scientific, educational and recreational, plus a marine park buffer zone.
- General Use Zones - uses are allowed which do not jeopardise the ecosystem. Commercial and recreational fishing are generally permitted, although bottom trawling is prohibited in some parts.
- Zoning, Permits and Plans
Species protection
Species control
- Managing Crown of Thorns starfish outbreaks
Monitoring
-Coral Watch: Coral Watch is associated with the University of Queensland. It uses the Coral Health Chart to monitor areas for coral bleaching, and general coral health. Users compare the colour of corals to the colour chart and record the information. The public are invited to monitor their local reefs while diving, snorkelling or reef walking. Coral Watch produces a Do It Yourself Kit which contains the Coral Health chart and a Coral Watch data sheet. Results can then be logged at the Coral Watch website. Worldwide data can also be viewed on the website. (www.coralwatch.org)
Reef restoration
This includes:
- revegetating canals to reduce sediment in run off
- building artificial lagoons
- sediment/ silt traps
- building small dam-like structures to slow the flow of water.
Research
River runoff
- There are a range of reasons why the issue of river pollution and its impact has not been effectively resolved. While some progress has been made many farmers still hold the opinion that they are not causing damage to the reef. In addition, many have inadequate funds and resources to respond to the issue. There is also a lot of red tape and in some cases the costs are too high.
Some management strategies which have been put in place:
- Building small dam-like structures in strategic places to slow the flow of water and trap sediments and silt
- Building artificial lagoons: Some reef fish use coastal wetlands for breeding grounds. This strategy replaces some lost habitat.
- Revegetation canals: This slows the movement of water and sediment and prevents riverbank erosion. It also filters runoff from farms.
- Sediment/silt traps in addition to dams and lagoons.

KNOWING YOUR MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES GBR.docx

Knowing your Mangement Strategies

Save and complete the following worksheet.
This worksheet will be utilised for the next case study as well.

Practice exam questions.pdf

Practice exam question with sample response.

Complete your response and submit it to me for feedback.

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