Biodiversity of Deep Coral Reefs | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Introduction

National Middle School Science Standards

Key Terms

ichthyology, marine biodiversity, coral reefs, invasive species, DNA barcoding, taxonomy

Key Concepts:

Biodiversity and its value to marine life
Ecology of coral reefs and their inhabitants
Dangers facing deep coral reef biodiversity
Classification of living things
Technology used by ichthyologists

Resource Types

Videos and Webcasts

Deep Reef Biodiversity - Exploring the Unexplored with Zoologist Carole Baldwin on Smithsonian Science How
Building the Sant Ocean Hall: Interviews with the Exhibit Team Ocean Portal
Constructing a Coral Reef Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Keeping Exploration Alive With Manned Submersibles Ocean Portal
Summer in a Sub: DROP Down to Discovery Ocean Portal

Printable Lessons

In Search of the Giant Squid Ocean Portal
Keeping Watch on Coral Reefs NOAA on the Ocean Portal

Online Activities

Ocean Biodiversity - Discovering Marine Invertebrates Smithsonian Learning Lab

Science Literacy Resources

Middle School Level

Discovering Weird New Species in the Open Ocean Tween Tribune

High School Level

Smithsonian Scientist Discovers Seven New Fish Species Smithsonian Magazine
A Sub and a Seatoad Ocean Portal
In Belize, Critically Endangered Wrasse, Now Favorite Food of Invasive Lion Fish Smithsonian Insider
Squat Lobsters: Colorful Kings of the Ocean Floor Smithsonian Insider

Advanced Reading Level

Corals: Ecosystem Engineers Smithsonian 3D Digitization
Smithsonian Scientists Link Unusual Fish Larva from Florida to New Species of Sea Bass from Deep Reefs of Curacao Smithsonian Newsdesk
What Genomic Research can Tell Us About Earth's Biodiversity Smithsonian Magazine

Subject Guides

Invertebrate Zoology Subject Guide Smithsonian Libraries

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

The Biodiversity of Deep Coral Reefs package supports students in meeting the following middle school NGSS Performance Expectations:

Life Science

MS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

MS-LS2-1 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of
MS-LS2-2 Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
MS-LS2-4 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
MS-LS2-5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Resource Type

Subject Guides

Grade Level

6-8

Learning Standards

Next Generation Science Standards

Topics

Life Science