Marine Science article
Source/Title:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110114164516.htm
Summary
1st Jan. 14, 2011 — An 18-year study of Kenya's coral reefs by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the University of California at Santa Cruz has found that over fished reef systems have more sea urchins -- organisms that in turn eat coral algae that build tropical reef systems. The study focused on two areas -- one a fishery closure near the coastal city of Mombasa and another site with fished reefs. The researchers found that sea urchins were the dominant grazer in the fished reefs, where the predators of sea urchins -- trigger fish and wrasses -- were largely absent. The absence of predators caused the sea urchins to proliferate and coral line algae to become rare.
2nd "These under-appreciated coralline algae are known to bind and stabilize reef skeletons and sand as well as enhance the recruitment of small corals by providing a place for their larvae to settle," said Dr. Tim McClanahan, WCS Senior Conservationist
3rd I chose this article because i felt it very interesting how organisms that in turn eat coral algae that build tropical reef systems.
1st Jan. 14, 2011 — An 18-year study of Kenya's coral reefs by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the University of California at Santa Cruz has found that over fished reef systems have more sea urchins -- organisms that in turn eat coral algae that build tropical reef systems. The study focused on two areas -- one a fishery closure near the coastal city of Mombasa and another site with fished reefs. The researchers found that sea urchins were the dominant grazer in the fished reefs, where the predators of sea urchins -- trigger fish and wrasses -- were largely absent. The absence of predators caused the sea urchins to proliferate and coral line algae to become rare.
2nd "These under-appreciated coralline algae are known to bind and stabilize reef skeletons and sand as well as enhance the recruitment of small corals by providing a place for their larvae to settle," said Dr. Tim McClanahan, WCS Senior Conservationist
3rd I chose this article because i felt it very interesting how organisms that in turn eat coral algae that build tropical reef systems.