Between April 10, 2013 – April 20, 2013, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation conducted a research mission to the Austral Islands, French Polynesia as part of the Global Reef Expedition. The research focused on coral reefs surrounding the islands of Maria, Rimatara, Tubuai, Rurutu and Raivavae. 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; 4) identify and characterize coral diseases; and 5) measure ocean chemistry (pH) and effects on coral growth. In addition, local partners 1) sampled giant clams in Tubuai and Raiavave for genetic analyses and population dynamics; 2) completed an inventory of fish species diversity and population genetics; 3) identify parasites of butterflyfishes; and 4) conducted a scleractinian coral species inventory and genetic analysis. You may download the full Austral Islands Field Report below.
