Official Course Description:   MCCCD Approval:  04/24/01
BIO148      20016-99999	LEC	1 Credit(s)	1 Period(s)
Coral Reef Ecology
Introduction to ecology of coral reefs. Emphasis on reef environments, corals, reef fishes, and human impacts on reefs. Prerequisites: None.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
BIO148   20016-99999	Coral Reef Ecology

1.	Describe a coral reef and distinguish it from other marine environments. (I, III)
2.	Compare and contrast the types of coral relatives. (II)
3.	Distinguish between the types of coral reefs. (III)
4.	Relate the processes of reef formation to the types of structures found on them. (III)
5.	List the zones found on a mature reef; describe the oceanographic conditions and the types of organisms found in each of the zones. (III)
6.	Compare and contrast the types of invertebrates associated with coral reefs and describe their roles in the reef system. (IV)
7.	Categorize reef fishes according to their feeding and reproductive types. (V)
8.	Produce an identification guide to the major species of corals, fish, and algae found on coral reefs. (II, V, VI)
9.	Describe the behavior of selected reef fishes. (V)
10.	Relate structure to function in the anatomy of the major species of corals, fish, and algae found on coral reefs. (II, V, VI)
11.	Describe the oceanographic conditions and the types of organisms found in seagrass meadows and mangrove swamps. (VII)
12.	Explain why coral reef ecosystems are considered to be delicately balanced and fragile. (VIII)
13.	Explain how coral reefs can maintain productivity in a barren ocean. (VIII)
14.	Compare and contrast the effects of natural and human impacts on coral reefs. (VIII, IX)
15.	Rank human impacts in terms of their severity. (IX)
16.	Analyze data from actual field surveys. (X)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
BIO148   20016-99999	Coral Reef Ecology

I. Introduction to Coral Reef Ecology A. Scope B. History C. Coral reef environments II. Corals and Their Relatives A. Stinging celled animals B. Hydroids and fire corals C. Jellyfish D. Reef-building corals E. Soft corals F. Anemones III. Coral Reefs A. Dynamic reef formation B. Reef structure and zonation C. Types of coral reefs D. Requirements of corals E. Coral nutrition and growth F. Competition between corals IV. Invertebrates Associated with Coral Reefs A. Sponges B. Worms C. Crustaceans D. Echinoderms V. Coral Reef Fishes A. Fish families B. Feeding in reef fishes C. Reproduction in reef fishes D. Behavior in reef fishes VI. Coral Reef Algae A. Forms B. Reef builders C. Growth D. Food for herbivores E. Reef species F. Cigutera intoxication VII. Environments Associated with Coral Reefs A. Seagrass meadows B. Mangrove swamps VIII. Coral Reef Ecosystems A. Productivity B. Food webs C. Energy flow and material cycles D. Impact of storm damage IX. Human Impacts on Coral Reefs A. Eutrophication B. Over-fishing C. Sedimentation D. Anchor and diver damage E. Collecting F. Coral diseases G. Global warming X. Coral Reef Research Methods A. Censusing reef organisms B. Studying the behavior of reef organisms C. Analyzing associations of reef organisms D. Analyzing water chemistry E. Studying growth of reef organisms

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