Coral Ecology

Coral ecology is the study of relationships between living organisms found on coral reefs and their interactions with the natural and human environment.  All kinds of sea creatures, corals and other invertebrates, fish, algae and seagrasses, are all integrally linked …

Cauliflower Coral

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Cauliflower coral, in the genus Pocillopora, are among the most widely distributed and most abundant corals found on the fore reef. These branching corals are covered with small bumps (called verrucae), which contain corallites and help in the identification of …

Reefs Around Rangiroa, Aratika and Raraka

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After two weeks, we’ve completed reef assessments around Rangiroa, Aratika, and Raraka and are now examining Fakarava. Tuamotu reefs are dramatically different from Society Islands.  Besides the near absence of crown of thorns seastars (we’ve seen a handful in the …

Global Reef Expedition Navassa Field Report March 25‐31, 2012

Global Reef Expedition Navassa Field Report March 25‐31, 2012 Navassa Island (18◦24’10’’ N, 75◦0’45’’W) is a U.S. possession that is approximately 5 km2 in area. The island lacks permanent human population. The island is comprised of a raised plateau surrounded by steep …