Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you know about the role of corals in ocean ecosystems?
- What are some ways people might be able to help protect and preserve coral reefs?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- insulated /IN-syuh-lay-tuhd/
- offshore /AWF-SHAWR/
- nursery /NUR-suh-ree/
- marine /muh-REEN/
- colony /KOL-uh-nee/
[adjective] – protected or covered to prevent the loss of heat or cold
The insulated water bottle kept my coffee hot for hours.
[adjective] – situated or occurring in the sea, away from the shore
The company is investing in offshore wind farms to generate renewable energy.
[noun] – a place where plants or young animals are bred and raised
The nursery specializes in growing a variety of exotic plants.
[adjective] – related to the sea or ocean
The research team collected samples from various marine environments to study the effects of pollution.
[noun] – groups of organisms living closely together, often in a specific environment
The bee colonies produced a large amount of honey this season.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
About 300 endangered sea corals were relocated from South Florida to the Texas Gulf Coast as part of a research and restoration project. Researchers from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi carefully packed the corals for transport on September 18 at NSU’s Oceanographic Campus in Dania Beach. The corals were loaded into protective containers with fresh seawater and extra oxygen, placed inside insulated coolers, and transported to a nearby airport for a flight to Texas. This move was necessary because of severe coral bleaching in 2023, which damaged many corals in the Florida Keys. Healthy corals from NSU’s offshore coral nursery were chosen for this transfer to support ongoing research.
Researchers emphasize the importance of coral conservation, noting that corals protect coastlines and serve as nurseries for marine life. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is studying these corals to understand how sediment affects coral health and resilience. Some corals will help create a bleaching guide for the Caribbean, while others will act as part of a genetic bank preserving nearly 100 distinct Staghorn coral colonies. This project involves sharing corals with other institutions to strengthen restoration efforts. Expanding coral storage locations is crucial for their survival and future conservation. Scientists stress the urgency of this work as coral populations are rapidly declining due to environmental changes.
Researchers emphasize the importance of coral conservation, noting that corals protect coastlines and serve as nurseries for marine life. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is studying these corals to understand how sediment affects coral health and resilience. Some corals will help create a bleaching guide for the Caribbean, while others will act as part of a genetic bank preserving nearly 100 distinct Staghorn coral colonies. This project involves sharing corals with other institutions to strengthen restoration efforts. Expanding coral storage locations is crucial for their survival and future conservation. Scientists stress the urgency of this work as coral populations are rapidly declining due to environmental changes.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Why were the sea corals relocated from South Florida to the Texas Gulf Coast?
- What steps did researchers take to prepare the corals for transport?
- What specific type of coral is being preserved in the genetic bank?
- Why is expanding coral storage locations important for coral survival?
- What is the purpose of studying the relocated corals at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever participated in a project related to environmental conservation? If so, what was the project about, and what role did you play in it? If not, what type of environmental project would you be interested in participating in and why?
- Have you ever seen the effects of climate change on a natural habitat? If so, what changes did you notice, and how did they impact the environment? If not, what do you think would be the most surprising thing to learn about how climate change affects nature?
- Do you agree that relocating corals is a necessary step for their conservation?
- How do you think relocating sea corals might impact their survival and health?
- What are some challenges that researchers might face when transporting delicate marine life like corals?