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Coral Reef Ecosystems: Ecosystems in Crisis


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Details

Type of Product:Science Object
Average Rating:
 based on 3 reviews
Publication Title:Coral Reef Ecosystems
Publication Date:3/28/2007
Grade Level:Elementary School, Middle School, High School


Description

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the fourth of four Science Objects in the Coral Reef Ecosystems SciPack. It explores the natural and human causes of ecosystem stress. Human beings live near coral ecosystems and use them in a variety of ways. Increasing amounts of stress is brought on these ecosystems as humans continue to modify the surrounding environment as a result of population growth, technology, and consumption. Human destruction of habitats through direct harvesting, pollution, atmospheric changes, and other factors is threatening the stability and overall health of many coral reefs. Human activities may also exacerbate the impact of natural disturbances on coral reefs or compromise the ability of the reef to recover from events such as hurricanes, tsunamis, or disease.


Ideas For Use

Science Objects are two hour learning experiences teachers can use to enhance their understanding of a particular scientific concept. Teachers can access any topic “on demand” from the Internet. Topics are based on the science literacy goals in the national standards (NSES, Science for All Americans, Benchmarks, and the Atlas of Scientific Literacy) and tied to state standards.

Each Science Object provides an understanding of the science content by providing a structured set of learning experiences through simulations and practice assessments. Science Objects challenge teachers to explore and explain real world phenomena and are founded on the principle that learners must be challenged with a problem, observation, data, etc., in order to develop scientific understanding. Science Objects utilize the five phases of inquiry-based learning: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate.

Learning Outcomes:

Coral Reef Ecosystems: Ecosystems in Crisis

  • Describe ways in which human activities directly impact coral reef ecosystems (resource and recreational uses).
  • Describe ways in which human activities indirectly impact coral reef ecosystems (by changing the physical conditions, pollution, changes in the water chemistry, etc.).
  • Explain how human activity may decrease the reefs ability to recover from natural occurrences.
  • Explain the effects of increased predation or disease on a reef ecosystem.
  • Describe the effect of habitat loss on the reef ecosystem.
  • Describe the effects of weather and climate change on a healthy and weakened reef ecosystem.

Additional Info

Science Discipline: (mouse over for full classification)
Food web
Populations
Predation
Symbiosis
Trophic levels
Intended User Role:Elementary-Level Educator, Middle-Level Educator, Teacher
Educational Issues:Inquiry learning, Professional development, Teacher content knowledge, Teaching strategies

Technical

Resource Format:application/x-shockwave-flash, audio/mp3, image/gif, image/jpeg, text/html, video/quicktime
Installation Remarks:Run the Science Objects System Check to ensure that your system is capable of viewing the simulations: http://ecommerce2.nsta.org/system_check/
Requirements:Requires Macromedia Flash Player and Apple Quicktime Player


National Standards Correlation

This resource has 8 correlations with the National Standards.  
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This resource has 8 correlations with the National Standards.  
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  • Life Science
    • Organisms and environments
      • When the environment changes, some plants and animals survive and reproduce, and others die or move to new locations.
      • Humans depend on their natural and constructed environments. Humans change environments in ways that can be either beneficial or detrimental for themselves and other organisms.
    • Populations and ecosystems
      • A population consists of all individuals of a species that occur together at a given place and time. (5-8)
      • All populations living together and the physical factors with which they interact compose an ecosystem. (5-8)
      • Populations of organisms can be categorized by the function they serve in an ecosystem. (5-8)
      • Food webs identify the relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem. (5-8)
      • Given adequate biotic and abiotic resources and no disease or predators, populations (including humans) increase at rapid rates. (5-8)
      • Lack of resources and other factors, such as predation and climate, limit the growth of populations in specific niches in the ecosystem. (5-8)


Customer Reviews
Review on Coral Reef Ecosystem: Crisis
  Reviewed by: Ronaldo Relador (Bowie, MD) on February 29, 2012
  Presenting the truth on a very special ecosystem in a very balance way. This is a material for advocates of defense for the environment.

Thourough description of stresses to ecosystem
  Reviewed by: David K on January 15, 2011
  This science object looks at both natural and human causes to the damage and stress on coral reef ecosystems. This information is presented in list form (4 topics for natural causes and 8 topics for human causes) and concludes with information on endangered species and ideas for stewardship. This object has a wealth of information with a good bit of review questions and can supplement any discussions or units on humans interacting with their environment. Very few interactive components, though.

Stresses to a Coral Reef
  Reviewed by: Adah (San Antonio, TX) on October 20, 2010
  This Science Objects describes and elaborates about the stresses, both biotic and abiotic, to a coral reef ecosystem. Subtopics include hurricanes, both positive and negative effects of tsunamis, reef eating predators, bleaching and coral diseases. This is followed by human interactions such as commercial exploitation, runoff from land, invasive species, ship groundings, marine debris, tourism and recreation. Two student preconceptions address those held by elementary students. There is an animation about Degree Heat Week in 2005. This Science Object provides a link for Email Help from a Content Mentor. The Science Object is peppered with check for understanding questions throughout it and ends with a short quiz. This is an excellent overview of the problems facing coral reefs but it also provides a section about stewardship of the reefs. This resource overflows with a wealth of information and provides a strong background understanding of the ecological problems facing this un

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