Coral Oceans

Geography | Ages 14-16

  1. 1. Where is Timor-Leste and why does it have coral reefs?
  2. 2. What is the structure of a coral reef?
  3. 3. What are the factors of the coral reef ecosystem?
  4. 4. How do humans use coral reefs?
  5. 5. What are the threats to coral reefs?
  6. 6. What are the impacts of coral reef destruction?
  7. 7. How do we mitigate coral reef destruction?
  8. 8. Assessment

What are the threats to coral reefs?

Part of:

AXA Ocean Education

Lesson overview

This lesson will look at the threats to the coral reefs, using a variety of resources including videos, a gallery and a information Student Sheet. This lesson will get students to start thinking about the scale of the threats to coral reefs and how we can all play a part, regardless of how far we live from the coral reef.

Learning outcomes

  • List the threats to coral reefs
  • Describe the different threats to coral reefs. Look at different scales – local in Timor-Leste (dangerous fishing) systemic (Climate change)
  • Evaluate the threats to the coral reefs
  • Predict a strategy to mitigate the threats to coral reefs

Lesson steps

  1. Introduction to the lesson (5 mins)
    Students to review the learning objectives.
  2. Nutrient Cycle (10 mins)
    Students to draw the nutrient cycle seen on coral reefs.
  3. Threats to coral reefs (25 mins)
    Students to come up with ideas of what they think may be threats to coral reefs.
  4. Classification of the threats (10 mins)
    Students to colour code the different threats to coral reefs. Students to work in pairs to discuss whether they think something is a local threat or a systemic one.
  5. Evaluate the threats to coral reefs (10 mins)
    Students to start thinking about what the biggest threat to the health of coral reefs is and why it is such a big threat.