Society Islands Field Report, French Polynesia: Global Reef Expedition

Society Islands Field Report

[2014]

Between September 15, 2012 – October 13, 2012 the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation conducted a research mission to Society Islands, French Polynesia as part of the Global Reef Expedition. The research focused on coral reefs surrounding the islands of Mopelia, Scilly, Bellinghausen, Tupai, Huahine, Raiatea/Tahaa, Maiao, and Tetiaroa.

Society Islands Field Report, French Polynesia Coral Reef Research

Between September 15, 2012 – October 13, 2012 the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation conducted a research mission to Society Islands, French Polynesia as part of the Global Reef Expedition. The research focused on coral reefs surrounding the islands of Mopelia, Scilly, Bellinghausen, Tupai, Huahine, Raiatea/Tahaa, Maiao, and Tetiaroa. The objectives of the mission were to: 1) identify and characterize shallow marine habitats and develop habitat and bathymetric maps: 2) evaluate the composition, structure and health of coral reefs using a standardized assessment protocol; 3) evaluate the effects of environmental stressor on coral health; and 4) measure ocean chemistry (pH) and effects on coral growth. Researchers from IRD and DIREN also 1) conducted surveys of commercially important invertebrate resources (gastropod molluscs, giant clams and sea cucumbers); 2) evaluated population genetics of the black lipped pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera); 3) conducted a sponge inventory and collected samples for genetic verification and chemical compounds; and 4) evaluated turtle nesting beaches. You may download the full Society Islands Field Report below.

From Mangrove Mud to Meaningful Work: Desta’s J.A.M.I.N. Journey

Some students I remember for their grades, their quick answers, or a moment that made the whole class laugh. Others I remember for the way they stepped into the mangroves.

Desta was the kind of student who thrived outdoors. While some students hesitated at the edge of the mud, he walked right in. And when he inevitably got stuck — because everyone does — he didn’t get frustrated. He laughed. Covered in mud, holding mangrove propagules in his hands, he embraced the experience fully.

Even then, it was clear that he was connecting with the environment in a way that went beyond the lesson plan…

From Students to Stewards: A Full-Circle Moment for J.A.M.I.N.

There are certain faces you never forget.

Over the years, hundreds of students have stepped into mangrove forests with us through the Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) program. I may not always remember every name, but I remember the expressions — the hesitation before stepping into thick mud, the laughter when someone loses a shoe, the look of surprise when they catch that unmistakable sulfur smell rising from the mangrove soil…

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From Mangrove Mud to Meaningful Work: Desta’s J.A.M.I.N. Journey

From Students to Stewards: A Full-Circle Moment for J.A.M.I.N.