2.3a rescuing our reefs 4th comprehension

What do coral reefs need to survive according to the photographer?

• Sunlight and clear water

• Plants and animals that are interconnected

• Algae and carbon dioxide

• Fish and sea anemones

What role do algae play in a coral reef ecosystem?

• They provide food for the coral by photosynthesis

• They consume the coral polyps

• They break apart the coral to get to the algae-filled polyps inside

• They are predators that hunt fish

What is the role of producers in the food chain mentioned in the text?

• They make their own energy

• They eat other animals

• They break down waste materials

• They provide oxygen for fish

What does the parrotfish do in the food chain?

• It produces its own energy

• It eats the algae and passes energy through the food chain

• It hides in the sea grass to avoid predators

• It takes photos of the coral reef

What does the barracuda represent in the coral reef ecosystem?

• A producer

• A consumer

• A photographer

• A predator

What can cause an imbalance in the coral's natural balance, leading to coral bleaching?

• Overfishing in the area

• Pollution and climate change

• Increased boat traffic

• Introduction of invasive species

What happens when the relationship between coral and algae breaks down due to warm water or pollution?

• The coral grows faster

• The algae multiply rapidly

• The coral ejects the algae and loses its color

• The water around the coral becomes clearer

What is the role of the algae in the health of coral reefs?

• They provide the coral with its color

• They consume the coral

• They block sunlight from reaching the coral

• They attract more fish to the coral

What is the Nature Conservancy doing to help rescue fragile reefs?

• They are removing the algae from the reefs

• They are planting staghorn coral to grow new coral

• They are cleaning the ocean with special filters

• They are introducing new species to the reefs

What does the food chain diagram on the page illustrate?

• The process of photosynthesis in marine plants

• The transfer of energy from one species to another

• The lifecycle of coral reefs

• The predator-prey relationship in the ocean