Reef work.
- Thread starter Garrobo
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Utila_ecology
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Check out http://www.utilaecology.org The Utila Centre for Marine Ecology has an active coral reef research programme and is looking for volunteers to work alongside research scientists.
They are investigating coral population dynamics where the research is investigating the settlement and survival of juvenile corals and the factors that influence recruitment into the adult population. Specific investigations are also planned to look at the genetic distribution of endangered coral species (Acropora palmata) around the island as part of a regional meta-population study in conjunction with University of Pennsylvania State. Further studies will also look at the role of algal dominance in affecting the survival of juvenile corals and the role of climate change in shifting the dominance of species on coral reefs.
There is also a coral reef health research team, assessing the prevalence and severity of coral diseases and looking for links with possible sources, reservoirs and vectors for the coral pathogens. We have established permanent sites in case of bleaching events to monitor the spread and subsequent recovery of bleaching around the island. In addition our programme monitors coastal water quality for nitrates, phosphates and specific bacterial contamination using cutting edge laboratory equipment and this information helps to pinpoint areas of concern and identify possible patterns between reef health and environmental variables.
Volunteers can join for 2,4, 8 or more weeks and participate in a rotation of projects including the above; fisheries population studies; cetacean surveys and terrestrial ecology.
They are investigating coral population dynamics where the research is investigating the settlement and survival of juvenile corals and the factors that influence recruitment into the adult population. Specific investigations are also planned to look at the genetic distribution of endangered coral species (Acropora palmata) around the island as part of a regional meta-population study in conjunction with University of Pennsylvania State. Further studies will also look at the role of algal dominance in affecting the survival of juvenile corals and the role of climate change in shifting the dominance of species on coral reefs.
There is also a coral reef health research team, assessing the prevalence and severity of coral diseases and looking for links with possible sources, reservoirs and vectors for the coral pathogens. We have established permanent sites in case of bleaching events to monitor the spread and subsequent recovery of bleaching around the island. In addition our programme monitors coastal water quality for nitrates, phosphates and specific bacterial contamination using cutting edge laboratory equipment and this information helps to pinpoint areas of concern and identify possible patterns between reef health and environmental variables.
Volunteers can join for 2,4, 8 or more weeks and participate in a rotation of projects including the above; fisheries population studies; cetacean surveys and terrestrial ecology.
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