Rainbows in the Sea

Co-produced by Earthwise Media and the Coral Reef Alliance, this program offers a comprehensive overview of the underwater habitats known as coral reefs. Viewers will learn about: the shaping of reefs due to changes in sea level and natural influences (such as earthquakes), the optimal conditions for a healthy reef (clean water, salt content), the varieties of landscape shapes and types of hard and soft coral, and various colorful residents (shrimp, anemones) and predators (including some amazing footage of a chameleon-like octopus). In addition, the program addresses the problems facing these “living rainbows” around the globe, ranging from natural disasters such as hurricanes and typhoons, to phenomena such as global warming, coral bleaching, and the effects of dynamite fishing (which looks as crazy as it sounds), all of which nonprofit organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, and the CRA are striving to combat. Combining clear and interesting narration, vivid footage, animation, diagrams and maps, and onscreen text (including some Latin terms and classifications), this excellent program—which includes DVD extras such as a five-minute illustrated taxonomic reef animal review, a printable teacher's guide, reef location maps, and links to resources—is highly recommended. Aud: I, J, H, P. (J. Williams-Wood)