Grade Level: 6-8

Even sessile organisms are in constant competition in a coral reef ecosystem due to shared limiting factors!  Students will watch and learn why and how three benthic species- corals, sponges and algae- compete on the coral reefs in the Florida Keys.  As the needs of each species are discovered, we begin to understand the limiting factors that lead to both direct and indirect competition.  Students will create concept maps to think through these processes and watch videos that spark their interest and provide examples.  This lesson is meant to build off a basic understanding of coral reefs.

Includes lesson plan, two videos (Benthic Competition and Coral-Coral Fight) and student handout.

** As a basic understanding of coral reefs is necessary for this lesson, it would work great as a post-MarineLab lesson (whether on-site or after a virtual coral program) **