When space turned around, the earth heatedWhen space turned over, the sky reversed

When the sun appeared standing in shadowsTo cause the light to make bright the moon,

When the Pleiades are small eyes in the night,From the source in the slime was the earth formedFrom the source in the dark was darkness formed

From the depths of the darkness, darkness so deepDarkness of day, darkness of night

Of night aloneDid night give birth

Born was Kumulipo in the night, a maleBorn was Po’ele in the night, a female

Born the coral polypBorn of him a coral colony emerged…

pp. 3-4, Johnson, R.K., 1981. The Kumulipo: Hawaiian hymn of creation. Vol. 1. Topgallant Publishing Co., Ltd., Honolulu, HI.

Michelle Smith

miliefsk@hawaii.edu

www.wcc.hawaii.edu/facstaff/miliefsky-m/

Instructor’s Office Location & Hours

Imiloa 136M 12:45-2:30, W 10:30-11:30

or by apt.

Sec. 62457TR 10-11:15

Hale ‘Imiloa 117

123

Class PoliciesAttendance:• Mandatory

Come Prepared:• Read assignments• Review lecture notes and outlines

Please turn it off before arriving to class!

Cell Phones

Introduction to the biology, ecology and geology of stony corals and the reef structures they build.

Topics include, but not limited to, the following: • Photobiology• Biochemistry• Physiology• Reproduction• Ecology• Reef formation• Biogeography and evolution of stony corals• Human interaction with its ocean resources

By the end of this course the student should:

• understand and appreciate the special characteristics of coral reef environments, especially Hawaiian reefs.

• understand ecological principles associated with coral reefs.

• describe vertebrates and invertebrates associated with coral reefs.

• develop an understanding of how coral reefs are threatened and what we can do to protect them.

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

• understand the process of scientific inquiry

• understand the difference between hypotheses, theories and laws in science

• understand the classification process and be able to classify organisms into different kingdoms and phyla

Demonstrate an understanding of the biology of scleractinian corals (with an emphasis on Hawaiian corals):• systematics & classification• soft tissue morphology and cytology• skeletal morphology• endosymbiosis with zooxanthellae• modes of feeding• reproduction• environmental factors that influence

growth and distribution, and evolution

Describe the ecological relationships among the living components of coral reef communities and their interactions with the physical environment :

• food webs• predator-prey relationships• competitors for common resources• symbiotic associations• zonation

• Describe the balance between framework building, erosion and cementation that contributes to reef formation and geomorphology.

• Describe the types of reefs and the processes that shape them

Discuss the resources that coral reefs provide, especially to Pacific island nations and states.

Discuss the impacts of human activities on coral reefs and the significance of these impacts to Pacific island nations and states, for example: • overfishing• species introductions• point & nonpoint source pollution• global warming and ozone

depletion

ATTENDANCE:

• Mandatory

• Email for legitimate absence

• 10 points

• Unexcused absence deduction of 1 points

Review SessionYou ask questionsJeopardy game

Coral ReproductionBroadcast spawning

Brooding Asexual Repro

Sexual Repro

Potluck

• 4 exams @ 22.5 points each

• Non cumulative

• 50 multiple choice questions

• Book questions included on exams

• Closed book, but allowed 1-sided 3x5 note card

EXAMINATIONS:

EXAMINATIONS:

Bring your own scantron

At bookstore 6 for $1.25

Missed Exam Policy

No retest unless a legitimate reason

Take exam next class time

Contact your instructor (email)!

1. 4 assignments worth up to 5 percentage points toward your exam. Due at each exam. Last one due 1 week early.

2. Attend a lecture at Waikiki Aquarium, Hanauma Bay Education Center, participate in a beach or algae cleanup…

3. Review an article related to class content (e.g., Discover magazine, National Geographic, local paper…). Internet Journals O.K.

4. Write a 1 page summary-reaction paper, typed, double spaced, size 12 font. Attach article to paper (photocopy or cut it out).

GRADES:

Attendance 10 ptsExams (4@22.5 points each) 90 ptsTotal 100 pts points

No plus or minus final grades

Grade cutoffs: A = above 90% B = 80%-89% C = 70%-79% D = 60%-69% F = below 59%

• Read text and outlines• Review lecture notes as often as possible• Study in groups • Hand in material on time• Ask questions

• Cheating

• Plagiarism

See student handbook on conduct code orhttp://www.hawaii.edu/student/conduct/imper.html

What is a Coral?