Philippine Coral Reef Educator Guide Grade 3 –Grade 5 What’s Inside: A. Exhibit Overview B. Exhibit Map c. Key Concepts d. Vocabulary E. museum connections f. Resources A. exhibit overview Coral reefs are the sparkling jewels of tropical marine habitats. Welcome to the Philippine Coral Reef Exhibit, which represents one of our planet’s most diverse and fragile marine ecosystems. This exhibit is home to a broad range of aquatic life found in the coral reefs and mangrove lagoons of the Philippine Islands. This includes animals such as Use this guide to: delicate soft and hard corals, blacktip reef sharks, stingrays, and more than » Plan your field trip to the 2,000 colorful reef fish representing more than 100 species. In this exhibit, California Academy of students can explore the amazing array of life that exists in the warm, Sciences’ Philippine Coral Reef exhibit. shallow waters off the Philippine coasts. » Learn about exhibit This exhibit can be seen on two levels. On Level 1, students can walk on themes, key concepts and behind–the–scenes a path above a shallow, sandy mangrove lagoon—a calm, protected area information to enhance inhabited by sharks, rays, and schools of fishes. Where the lagoon drops and guide your students’ off to the deep reef, hundreds of brightly colored fishes are visible near experience. the surface, enticing students to view the immersive spectacle one floor » Link to exhibit–related activities you can below. As you enter the aquarium on the Lower Level, you will see the download. main Philippine Coral Reef tank. At a depth of 25 feet and holding 212,000 » Connect your field trip gallons of water, the Philippine Coral Reef tank is one of the deepest to the classroom. exhibits of live corals in the world. Curiosity leads to exploration of several small galleries along the perimeter of the exhibit that highlight the unique adaptations and complex interactions of reef organisms. The following main themes are found in the Philippine Coral Reef exhibit: » Tropical coral reef ecosystems, especially those found in the Philippines, are biodiversity hotspots. » Many organisms living in tropical reef ecosystems depend on one another for survival. 02 Philippine Coral Reef Educator Guide California Academy of Sciences a Observation deck Living Roof Planetarium exit b Upper Gallery Classroom c Naturalist Center Level 3 B. exhibit map California Academy of Sciences Map d Forum Level 2 Sta Entrance g K Swamp Early Explorers Cove Aquarium Store Project View into stairs Lab Collections h Planetarium East pass pick-up l Earthquake Garden e Islands of Evolution Philippine Piazza M Rainforests Coral Reef of the World f Science (Exits in West in Action Aquarium) Garden Reef Lagoon O Moss Room Restaurant Penguins i African Hall J Human Information Odyssey N Academy Cafe Store Entrance Level 1 N Level 1 N Swamp Level 1 stairs Philippine Store Coral Reef P Philippine Coral Reef Q Water S Northern U Amazon Planet California Flooded Lower Level Coast (Aquarium) Forest N T Discovery Lower Level R Animal Tidepool (Aquarium) Attraction California Academy of Sciences Philippine Coral Reef Educator Guide 03 Design: reineckandreineck.com San Francisco B. exhibit map Aquarium Map Stairs to Stairs to Level 1 Lower Level Lower Level Level 1 Color on the Reef Philippine Philippine Coral Reef Coral Reef (underwater) (top view) Water Planetarium Piazza Planet Philippine Caribbean Mangrove Coral Reef Lagoon Life in Venom on Reef N the Dark the Reef Partnerships N T-Rex Welcome to the Philippine Coral Reef Exhibit, which represents one of our planet's most diverse and fragile marine ecosystems. Located on Level 1 and Lower Level, the Philippine Coral Reef exhibit focuses on two main themes: » Tropical coral reef ecosystems, especially those found in the Philippines, are biodiversity hotspots. » Many organisms living in tropical reef ecosystems depend on one another for survival. 04 Philippine Coral Reef Educator Guide California Academy of Sciences c. key concepts Level 1 Stairs to Philippine Mangrove Lagoon Lower Level Reefs and mangrove lagoons are ecological partners. Philippine Coral Reef Main ideas: (top view) » Mangroves are types of trees that grow along tropical shorelines. Piazza » Mangroves are buffers that protect the coast Planetarium against storms. Philippine » Young reef animals, such as sharks and fish, find Mangrove Lagoon shelter and food among mangrove roots and in N lagoon waters. T-Rex » Conserving coral reefs means protecting mangroves, too. Take a closer look! Learn about some of the animals found in the lagoon shallows. ROUTER LINE - does not print Blacktip Reef Shark Honeycomb Stingray Carcharhinus melanopterus Himantura uarnak Honeycomb ray Easy to identify by the black This ray has a system of Himantura uarnak tips on their fins, these sharks sensory organs that run the are often seen cruising reef entire length of its body and J. Charles Delbeek © California Academy of Sciences shallows in large schools. tail, called the lateral line. Diet: Small fish Its extra long tail can sense Distribution: Indian and Pacific Oceans approaching predators well in advance. Diet: Crustaceans and small fish Distribution: Indian and Pacific Oceans Photo: J. Charles Delbeek © California Academy of Sciences California Academy of Sciences Philippine Coral Reef Educator Guide 05 c. key concepts Lower Level Stairs to Philippine Coral Reef Level 1 The more you watch, the more you’ll Color on the Reef California Coast see. At first, a coral reef looks like a Philippine Coral Reef moving mosaic. Watch carefully and (underwater) you’ll see order in the mix. Water Planet Main ideas: » Coral reefs in the Philippines are home to some of Caribbean the world’s richest variety of marine life—about 500 Coral Reef coral species and 2,000 fish species. Life in Venom on Reef N » Complex relationships are created as reef organisms the Dark the Reef Partnerships compete and cooperate for food, space, and mates. » From big fish resting in caverns to tiny shrimp nibbling in crevices, every square centimeter hosts members of the reef community. Take a closer look! Learn about some of the remarkable animals found on the reef. Emperor Angelfish Carpet Anemone Pomacanthus imperator Stichodactyla spp. This stunning fish has a blue Often mistaken for a plant, body with horizontal yellow carpet anemones are actually stripes and a jet black face animals. Red, green, and mask. Juveniles of this species blue carpet anemones are an important part of the reef ecosystem and can live have been observed cleaning parasites off up to 100 years. Many larger anemones provide larger fish. homes for other reef animals including crabs, Diet: Sponges and tunicates shrimp, and anemone fish. Distribution: Indian and Pacific Oceans Diet: Small drifting animals Photo: Ron DeCloux © California Academy of Sciences Distribution: Indian and Pacific Oceans Photo: Charles Delbeek © California Academy of Sciences 06 Philippine Coral Reef Educator Guide California Academy of Sciences c. key concepts Lower Level Stairs to Color on the Reef Level 1 A rainbow of color sparkles on the Color on the Reef California Coast reef. Have you ever wondered why Philippine Coral Reef tropical coral reef residents are (underwater) some of the most colorful creatures Water Planet on Earth? Main ideas: Caribbean » Because coral reefs grow in clear, sunny waters, Coral Reef reef animals use their vision more than those that Life in Venom on Reef the Dark the Reef Partnerships N live in murky waters. Therefore, reef animals use color to communicate in various ways. » Color is used to attract mates, fool predators, signal danger, or help animals hide in plain sight. Take a closer look! These animals are some of the reef’s most colorful residents. Spotted dragonet Moorish idol Synchiropus picturatus Zanclus cornutus Bright colors aren’t always for The color patterns and shape show. The colorful patterns of of this fish’s body visually this fish help it blend in with breaks up its body outline the reef. See if you can find which may help protect a greenish fish with blue, orange, and black spots, it from predators. This fish has been the iconic large eyes and frilly fins. symbol of the Steinhart Aquarium since 1923. Diet: Small invertebrates Diet: Small invertebrates, algae Distribution: Indian Ocean to Western Pacific Ocean Distribution: Indian and Pacific Oceans Photo: John E. Randall Photo: Terry Goslinger © California Academy of Sciences California Academy of Sciences Philippine Coral Reef Educator Guide 07 c. key concepts Lower Level Stairs to Caribbean Coral Reef Level 1 It’s not enough to save a single reef Color on the Reef California Coast because each one is unique. Philippine Coral Reef (underwater) Main idea: » Scientists study similarities and differences of Water Planet coral reefs worldwide to understand how to protect them. » Tropical coral reefs around the world are Caribbean threatened by human activities and climate Coral Reef change. Life in Venom on Reef the Dark the Reef Partnerships N Take a closer look! Explore some of the animals found only on Caribbean coral reefs. Queen angelfish Cherubfish Holacanthus ciliaris Centropyge argi The queen angelfish lives This is one of the Caribbean’s mainly on coral reefs smallest angelfish. It retreats surrounding Caribbean into holes when frightened to islands. Adults of this species avoid predators. Look for a dark extend their mouth and scrape food from the reef blue fish with orange markings. with brush-like teeth. Diet: Algae Diet: Invertebrates & algae Distribution: Western Atlantic Ocean and the Distribution: Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea Caribbean Sea Photo: Ron DeCloux © California Academy of Sciences Photo: Ron DeCloux © California Academy of Sciences 08 Philippine Coral Reef Educator Guide California Academy of Sciences c. key concepts Lower Level Stairs to Life in the Dark Level 1 Some reef species prefer night to day.