Lesson 4 Only One Earth
Save Coral Reefs
When you go deep into the sea, you can see a variety of marine ____ including corals.
Over the course of many years, corals build up to form large structures ____ coral reefs.
Brightly colored coral reefs provide a beautiful ____ landscape.
However, this is not the only reason they are ____.
Importance of Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are crucial ecosystems that protect ____ marine life and people living near the sea.
Coral reefs provide shelter to an abundance of ____ life, such as fish and underwater plants.
Because of the diversity of life found in coral reefs, they are ____ called “the rainforests of the sea.”
Nearly one quarter of ____ known marine species depend on coral reefs for survival — they hide themselves from predators, find food, reproduce, and raise their young in coral reefs.
As far as humans are concerned, over half a billion people rely on coral reefs for ____ and survival.
____ large waves generated by storms rush toward shore, coral reefs serve as natural barriers.
The force of the waves is reduced as they ____ the coral reefs.
____, they prevent the land on the shore from washing away and thus protect towns near the sea.
Moreover, reefs are a source of medicine, and many organisms found in coral reefs are used to treat ____ like cancer.
This is why they are sometimes referred to as the “____ chests of the sea.
Coral Reefs in Danger
These underwater treasures are ____ threat of destruction.
The more coral reefs become damaged, the more creatures relying on them will lose their ____.
Thus, the increasing loss of coral reefs might lead to the destruction of the ____ marine ecosystem.
The U.N. ____ that many of the world’s coral reefs are currently endangered.
In fact, nearly half of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest, has ____.
If swift action is not taken, scientists ____ that most coral reefs will be destroyed by 2050.
What causes coral reefs to die?
There are various causes, like destructive fishing techniques, overpopulation of corals’ ____ enemies, and careless tourism.
However, the leading cause is the ____ in water temperature due to global warming.
The ideal temperature range for corals to ____ is 20°C to 28°C.
When the water temperature rises above ____ coral reefs turn white and eventually die.
Another serious cause is plastic ____.
Plastic products, such as bottles and fishing lines, have been dumped into the ____.
This spreads viruses and diseases, damaging coral ____ and their inhabitants.
Technologies to Save Coral Reefs
In recent years, advanced technologies have been put in place to save coral reefs by monitoring, protecting, and restoring ____ in quick and efficient ways.
Researchers from Florida introduced a soft jellyfish-like ____ to monitor coral reefs without damaging their delicate bodies.
In addition, an Australian research team invented an intelligent underwater robot to protect ____ reefs from a dangerous species of starfish.
The robot ____ a camera and computerized vision system to scan the reefs and identify this starfish.
When it encounters one, the robot uses a foldable ____ to inject some toxic salt into the starfish and eliminate it.
Meanwhile, 3D printing systems ____ been proposed in Hong Kong as one way to restore coral reef structures.
The 3D ____ creates artificial support for corals.
An example is a block ____ of mud that lies on the floor of the ocean.
It is shaped in a way that allows corals to attach to it and grow ____.
Actions to Save Coral Reefs
Here are some simple but effective steps we can ____ in order to help protect coral reefs.
First, you can avoid using ____ products containing tiny pieces of plastic because they pollute the oceans.
Also, try not to use ____ made with certain chemicals that damage corals.
Second, you can ____ to help clean the beach.
Recycling and reducing trash is a huge ____ in maintaining a clean ocean.
Last but not least, make it known that coral ____ are in danger by spreading the word to people around you.
Let people know about the threat to coral ____ and what actions to take to save them.
This will make a big ____ for the future.