Coral Reefs: The Importance of Protecting Them

Coral Reefs: The Importance of Protecting Them

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will understand the importance of coral reefs and why we should protect them.

Introduce the learning objective and the importance of the topic to the students.

What do you already know about coral reefs?

What are Coral Reefs?

Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals, which are tiny animals. They are home to a diverse range of marine life.

Introduce what coral reefs are and their basic structure.

Biodiversity

Coral reefs provide a habitat for over 25% of all marine life, making them one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth.

Explain the importance of coral reefs as a habitat for marine life.

Threats to Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are threatened by climate change, overfishing, pollution and destructive fishing practices.

Explain the main threats to coral reefs and their impact.

Climate Change

Climate change is causing ocean temperatures to rise, which can lead to coral bleaching and death. It also causes ocean acidification, which can make it harder for corals to grow.

Explain the impact of climate change on coral reefs.

How coral reacts to threats

What Can We Do?

We can reduce our carbon footprint, use renewable energy, reduce plastic use, and support sustainable fishing practices.

Highlight some of the ways we can all take action to protect coral reefs.

Chasing Coral