Sponges play an important role in the nutrient dynamics of coral reefs and could possibly rise to dominate coral reefs as corals decline due to human activity and climate change.
The buoy will measure carbon dioxide and other important seawater characteristics within American Samoa Fagatele Bay’s vibrant tropical coral reef ecosystem.
They are surviving under ocean conditions that many predicted would decimate all coral reefs on the planet, according to doctoral researcher Christopher Jury.
A study, co-led by graduate student Chris Wall at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, revealed soft tissues that cover the rocky coral skeleton promotes the recovery of corals following a bleaching event.
Study reveals previously invisible microbial aspect, says Craig Nelson, assistant professor of oceanography in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.
A UH Hilo assistant professor has developed a research program that enhances coral reef research by converting 2D images into 3D reconstructions of reef habitats.