HSIE Teachers - HSC Geography: Ecosystems at risk
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Coral Reefs - Weather and climate

Temperature
- Areas have temperatures averaging up to 26 degrees Celsius. These temperatures and clear water are essential for coral growth.
- Reef building is optimal at 20 degrees celcius.
- Contain plants and animals adapted to tropical sun and extreme insolation.
- If the temperature is too low the coral can't produce limestone, while if it is too high the coral will expel the zooxanthellae.

Precipitation
- Heavy summer rains can lead to increased run-off and large amounts of sedimentation from mainland areas. These can suffocate corals and lead to algal blooms.
- Rainfall is fresh water. At times of heavy rainfall freshwater can pool on top of the heavier salt water. Any corals which are exposed at low tide will be exposed to an increase in fresh water and may result in coral deaths.
- Precipitation can increase the river flow of nearby rivers and as a result carry more sediment into the oceans.

Wind
- Wind has played a role in shaping exposed structures through wind erosion.
- During extreme weather events, wind and waves can break corals.

Tropical Cyclones
- Tropical cyclones, which are common features in these areas, can have a major impact on reef survival. They can result in heavy rainfall (increased freshwater),  increased river flow (sedimentation entering the ocean), increased wind (coral breakage).

Cyclone damage to the Great Barrier Reef

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  • Home
    • Assessment
    • Assessment 1 Scaffold
    • Extended Responses
  • Ecosystem Management
    • Biophysical Interactions >
      • Biophysical Interactions extended response
    • Vulnerability and Resilience >
      • Environmental stress extended response
    • Importance of management and protection >
      • Ecosystems Research task
    • Evaluation of management strategies >
      • Evaluating management strategies
      • Evaluating - sample
      • Evaluating - scaffold
    • Mini case studies
    • Ecosystems - ESL Support
  • Tundra
    • Tundra - spatial patterns - analysing photos and maps >
      • Tundra glossary
      • Tundra - Virtual fieldwork
    • Tundra - Biophysical interactions >
      • Tundra - Churchill biophysical interactions
      • Skills: Climate graphs
    • Nature and Rate of Change >
      • Tundra - Climate Change Infographic
    • Human Impacts >
      • Tundra - Cause and Effect
      • Tundra Connections
    • Tundra - Management >
      • Evaluating Management Strategies
      • Tundra - radio collar tracking
  • Intertidal Wetlands
    • Case Studies >
      • Towra Point
      • Homebush Bay
    • Spatial patterns
    • Biophysical Interactions >
      • Weather and climate
      • Geomorphic and hydrological processes
      • Biogeographical processes
      • Adjustments to natural stress
      • Homebush Bay - Biophysical Interactions
    • Nature and rate of change
    • Human impacts >
      • Towra Point - Human Impacts
      • Towra Point - Human impacts activity
      • Homebush Bay - Human Impacts
    • Management practices >
      • Towra Point - Management Strategies
      • Homebush Bay - Management Strategies
    • Intertidal Wetlands Revision Questions
    • Intertidal Wetlands - Fieldwork >
      • Towra Point excursion
  • Coral Reefs
    • Spatial patterns
    • Biophysical Interactions >
      • Weather and climate
      • Geomorphic and hydrological processes
      • Biogeographical processes
      • Adjustments to natural stress
      • Coral Reef Triangle
    • Nature and rate of change
    • Human Impacts >
      • Coral Triangle - Human Impacts
      • Great Barrier Reef - Human Impacts
    • Management practices >
      • Traditional Management Practices
      • Coral Triangle - Management
      • Great Barrier Reef - Management Strategies
    • Coral Reefs - Fieldwork >
      • Coral Triangle - fieldwork
      • Fieldwork - Lizard Island Virtual Fieldsite.
      • Great Barrier Reef excursion
  • HSIETeachers