Global distribution of coral Global distribution of coral reefsreefs

Topics covered in this Topics covered in this presentation:presentation:

• GeologyGeology

• Reef typesReef types

• Reef formationReef formation

• Reef animalsReef animals

• Current IssuesCurrent Issues– Current coral researchCurrent coral research– French Polynesian outreach French Polynesian outreach

MooreaMoorea

UC Berkley Gump Field Station

Geology of MooreaGeology of Moorea

• Moorea and the surrounding islands Moorea and the surrounding islands were formed by a hotspot about 1.5-were formed by a hotspot about 1.5-2.5 million years ago2.5 million years ago

• HawaiiHawaii

• GalapagosGalapagos

Fringing ReefsFringing Reefs

• Located along the shoreLocated along the shore

• Most common type of reef in tropicsMost common type of reef in tropics

• Usually grow on hard bottomsUsually grow on hard bottoms

• Usually the first type of reef to grow Usually the first type of reef to grow around a land massaround a land mass

Barrier ReefsBarrier Reefs

• Separated from land or an island by Separated from land or an island by a deep lagoona deep lagoon

• Protects the island Protects the island

from incoming waves from incoming waves

and stormsand storms

AtollsAtolls

•A circular shaped reef that encloses a lagoon in the center•It is thought that Atolls form around volcanic islands as the islands sink

Animals of the reefAnimals of the reef

Animals of the reefAnimals of the reef

Monitoring/ResearchMonitoring/ResearchWhat’s the big deal?What’s the big deal?

Monitoring/ResearchMonitoring/Research

• This science project evaluates the This science project evaluates the distribution of bioeroders and endofauna in distribution of bioeroders and endofauna in massive massive PoritesPorites corals within the lagoon of corals within the lagoon of Moorea.Moorea.

• Specifically, the research tests the Specifically, the research tests the hypotheses that: (a) hypotheses that: (a) bioeroders and bioeroders and endofauna are distributed in a non-random endofauna are distributed in a non-random pattern around Moorea, pattern around Moorea, and and

(b) (b) scarids display optimal foraging scarids display optimal foraging behavior in relation to the density of behavior in relation to the density of LithopomaLithopoma

BioerodersBioerodersBioeroders living within coral

• Importance of outreachImportance of outreach

• Connection to scientistsConnection to scientists

• Connection to the communityConnection to the community

• Community involvementCommunity involvement

• Moorea 2009 OutreachMoorea 2009 Outreach– Classroom lecturesClassroom lectures– Lab tourLab tour– Field experienceField experience

OutreachOutreach

OutreachOutreach

Researchers teaching local Polynesian school children at Gump Research Station

OutreachOutreach

Local Polynesian school children conducting research

OutreachOutreach

Sampling conducted by local Polynesian school children