how can i make a concept map about coral reefs?

Answer 1

Hmmm.. . . I would start by listing all the common organisms that live in a coral reef. The major groups are rooted plants, phytoplankton, zooplankton, sponges, coral, molluscs, bacteria, and fish. Next, I would build a table where the first column is the name of an organism, and then the remaining columns would represent different attributes and functions that an organism might have in the ecosystem. I would place a check mark in the attributes that apply to each species.

For a coral species, it provides physical structure to the reef, cover for fish, it filters phytoplankton (primary consumer), it provides a substrate for algal growth, and it functions as a food source for certain mollusks. - each of these would be a column heading. When you add the next organism, you would use some of the same headings, and maybe add a few more. For example, you would need to add a heading for a barracuda which is either a secondary or tertiary predator, depending on the classifications system.

After building a list of everything, I would then try to think how the various parts are organized spatially and biologically - maybe add a few more columns if needed to capture these ideas. I would then try to diagram the physical and spatial organization of the organisms by creating several zones such as bottom, reef, surface, and open water. These would be new column headings, and everything would be placed in at least one of the zones. A this point, i would try to map the organisms by trophic level and marine zone.

Next I would try to add the trophic linkages between the organisms, and remap. I don't know how this would end up, but it would at least be a way to start.

Answer 2

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/index.html
http://www.uvi.edu/coral.reefer/
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