Sponge Mag explains the 2010 Florida Reef Project

[Ocean Rehab]

Full Article here

Many people visit coastal reef systems, but what are they looking at? The norm, or just the norm as they know it?

Consider a growing tree. Progression of a young tree you pass every day won't stun you nearly as much as if you saw it with a one year absence. The same philosophy applies to reefs, where changes occur over many lifetimes. With no established "baseline", we don't officially know the current state of our reefs in relation to its existence.

Understanding Baselines

Baselines are an important point of reference to monitor an ecosystem's health and measure progression. The problem remains that we do not know what our reefs looked like before human detriment was placed on it

 

[DennisS]

Are there any plans to establish baseline water quality standards?

Any nutrient sampling/analysis planned?

 

[Ocean Rehab]

Excellent question.
Thank you..
Yes, Yes and Yes
The exact reason that Dr. Brian E Lapointe joined the Scientific Advisory Board.
During the 2011 Florida Reef Project we will implement Water and Sedimentary sampling of the reef sites. This is Dr. Lapointes specialty.
These samples will be analyzed by Harbor Branch, Woods Hole and USGS. (Friends of the Dr.)

Pro Dive Ft. Lauderdale is training Reef Check eco-divers now.

 

[DennisS]

That's great, it can show us cause and effect, if it's there