How Do Upwelling and El Niño Impact Coral Reef Growth? A GUIDED, INQUIRY-BASED LESSON

Gravinese et al. present a guided, inquiry-based lesson to help students identify the impact of upwelling and El Nino to the coral reef growth. To begin this activity, students hypothesize how changes in environmental conditions could affect coral reef growth. They then compare metrics for reef growth (linear growth and percent coral cover) between two reefs in Pacific Panama that are located in oceanographically and environmentally different embayments, or gulfs. A discussion following the first two activities allows the students to explore possible reasons for the observed differences between the reefs. Students then use their data to calculate a carbonate budget to estimate the rate of reef growth in each gulf. The purpose of calculating a carbonate budget is to provide students with an opportunity to estimate how variables such as coral growth rates, percent coral cover, and bioerosion contribute to the long-term potential for accretion or deterioration of coral reefs.