Who knew?

     Remember that at Doulos, we are an expeditionary learning school which means that each grade takes one topic each semester and focuses on that concept for about 8 weeks. This means they go into this topic really deep and it gets integrated into all their other subjects as well. As a 6th grade class, in science their expedition is studying the coral reef. Ok, here is where I enter my confession about knowing nothing on coral reefs...seriously I thought they were a rock and not a living thing!! Wow has my knowledge increased over the past week! During an expedition, our students learn under experts and do some sort   field work to give them hands-on learning opportunities. This past week our kids went to the other side o f the island, Samana, to study the reef through observation up close and personal. The DR is one of the places in the world that has a live coral reef around the island. Our objective throughout the week was to learn more about this living animal, why is it dying around the DR, why is it important to the DR, and what can we do to preserve it. Here is what I found out this week about this fascinating animal:

What is a coral?

• A coral is a living animal made of coral polyps. When several corals build their skeleton (hard outer shell) they form a massive structure that is called a coral reef. This reef is home to many fish, plants, and other microscopic creatures. It's literally like an underwater city. 

How does a coral eat?

• A coral eats by the help of these tiny algae that live inside their polyps called "zooxanthellae" that use photosynthesis to process energy from the sun into sugar. At night the corals' polyps come out and also feed on plankton that swim by.

What does a coral need to survive?

• Corals require a certain temperature to live in, which is why most corals are found in the tropics around the Equator. If the temperature is too hot or cold, they will die.
• Corals can only live in saltwater not freshwater b/c they need the salt to form their calcium carbonate skeletons. This is the same material our bones are made from as well.
• Corals live in relatively shallow water b/c they need sunlight to make their food. Thus, they need clear water for the sunlight to penetrate through the waters.

Why are the reefs dying around the world and specifically in the DR?

• Trash!! This is a huge problem for the coral reefs b/c trash gets in the way of the sunlight being able to penetrate the waters and when the sun can't get through, the corals have trouble making their food through photosynthesis. Plastic also traps the corals and then they can't breathe, eat or reproduce.
• Global warming is the effect of the increase of temperature on our planet. Like mentioned above, the reefs require a certain temperature and if that temp is increased they die. 
• Reckless tourism hurts the coral as well like when snorkelers, divers and tourists step on the coral when in the water. Ships and boats come in over the reefs and set down their anchors on top of the reefs which kills the reef by breaking off parts of the coral.
• Poor fishing practices kills the reef b/c fishermen sometimes uses poison in the water to stun their fish as an easy catch or use explosives which blasts the coral.

What's the big deal with the coral reef in the DR?

• Tourism is huge for this country, especially when you have beautiful white sandy beaches and coral reefs that are home to some really beautiful fish and creatures. People come to this country for the beaches, snorkeling, whale watching, deep sea fishing, etc. This is where a major part of the country's money comes from, so if the reefs die and there are no more fish to look at b/c their home has been destroyed, then tourism will decline as well as the money. When money declines, people's livelihood declines as well. Not the prettiest picture for an already underdeveloped country huh?

What can we do to preserve this phenomenon of nature?

• Educate, Educate, Educate!! People can't change their ways if they don't know what they are doing is harmful. Education for the local fishermen, education for the tourism agencies, education for the locals all over this country about throwing away your trash in trash cans NOT THE RIVERS!! You would be surprised how filthy our rivers are in Jarabacoa and how people don't think about where that river and it's contents flow next!! It goes straight into the ocean and becomes destructive for many creatures.
• Donate for their to be more research done, so we can keep learning about this animal. Here in the DR, there is a branch of an organization called Reef Check, who we work with yet there is only one main marine biologist and he has his work cut out for him. He encouraged our students this week that if this study inspires them to stick with their schooling and study marine biology. In fact, one of our seniors will be headed off to the states next year to study marine biology b/c she was impacted and fascinated when she went on this trip in 6th and 10th grade. She will be returning to the DR after school to work with Reef Check. Neat huh?

Well, that was a lot of information, but after I learned it all I just had to share it with someone! Thanks for reading and learning something new! Check out pictures from the week here!