The Living Oceans Foundation conducted research missions in the Cook Islands and our scientists worked alongside researchers from the Ministry of Marine Resources, members of the Cook Islands Marine Park Steering Committee, and the Te Ipukarea Society. Together they used satellite imagery and ground observations to identify and characterize the various marine habitats to create high resolution habitat maps. Our researchers also focused on the health of these ecosystems hoping to identify threats affecting the reefs, as well as the extent of degradation and resilience to stressors such as ocean acidification and infestations of destructive crown of thorns starfish.
Connecting Ecosystems, Connecting People: How a Collaboration Brought Seagrass into the Spotlight
In marine ecology, we often think about ecosystems like coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds as separate, distinct places. But much like the human body, these ecosystems are interconnected—each system plays a vital role in supporting the health of the others and the communities that depend on them. When we understand these connections, we start to see the bigger picture…
