Grades 9-12
Student Investigation: Laying the Foundation for Deep-Sea Coral Gardens
Grade Level:
9 – 12th grade (Life Science/Ecosystem Dynamics)
Lesson Description:
Similar to their shallow-water relatives, deep-sea corals function as foundation species in their communities, providing food, structure, and habitat for many other species. This investigation features data and images from deep-sea coral gardens that students will use to construct an explanation for the deep-sea phenomenon: How does the presence of Lophelia pertusa affect other organisms in a deep-sea coral ecosystem?
Lesson Components:
Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
- Performance Expectation: MS-LS2-2
- Disciplinary Core Ideas: LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems; LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning and Resilience
Ocean Literacy Essential Principles:
- Principle 5: FCs e, f
Supplemental Materials:
Fact Sheets
- Deep-Sea Corals: What Are They? (pdf, 2.08 MB) | en español (pdf, 367 KB)
- Deep-Sea Corals: Rainforests of the Deep (pdf, 2.32 MB) | en español (pdf, 489 KB)
- Deep-Sea Corals and Sponges: Foundation Species (pdf, 3.57 MB) | en español (pdf, 372 KB)