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Environmental science topics
IH300 The coupled effect of light and temperature on the thermal tolerance of Acroporids, Indonesia (Weeks 2 - 8; need to have completed IH007 and be dive trained if incorporating a diving element) Coral bleaching is a widespread and extensively studied phenomenon, yet many of the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In order to better understand and therefore implement more effective management plans, it is imperative to investigate more in-depth the various factors and mechanisms involved in a thermal bleaching response. One of the most important reef building coral genuses of the Indo-Pacific is Acropora which are generally fast-growing, highly fecund corals that typically invest energy into ‘quantity’ not ‘quality’. One project could investigate the coupled effect of light and temperature on Acroporids collected across environmental gradients (mainly light). The research could determine whether Acropora obtained from shallower environments are more tolerant to thermal stress than conspecifics from deeper habitats. The experimental component of the research is laboratory based but opportunities exist for both diving and snorkelling elements to be included.
IH301 Photoacclimation potential of reef building corals in response to sea level rise, Indonesia (Weeks 2 - 8; need to have completed IH007 and be dive trained if incorporating a diving element) The rate of sea level rise is predicted to increase as climate changes with potential implications to reef systems. Changes in sea level ultimately alter the light climate available for corals to grow and consequently the diversity and productivity they can support. Corals require sunlight to grow but are predicted to ‘drown’ unless key species are able to grow fast enough to keep up with the rate of sea level rise, or successfully acclimate to altered light climates until they can catch up. As yet, little is known of these fundamental properties for the range of reef building coral architect species that exist throughout the Indo-Pacific. One project could examine the rates and mechanisms of photoacclimation of coral species across natural light gradients and in particular focus on how corals acclimate (or coral communities adapt) to extremes of high and low light intensity. The experimental component of the research is laboratory based but opportunities exist for both diving and snorkelling elements to be included.
IH302 Thermal induced rapid coral mortality in Indonesia (Weeks 2 - 8; need to have completed IH007 and be dive trained if incorporating a diving element) The demise of coral reefs is one of the greatest environmental disasters mankind is facing with some scientists predicting that 33% of all coral species will be lost within the near future. It has been suggested that corals with a higher skeletal density are able to tolerate thermal stress through numerous mechanisms of acclimation thereby enabling the species to track environmental conditions (a sub-lethal response). However, many other, often functionally important, species have limited acclimatory potential and rapidly die off during relatively small changes in temperature (just a few degrees above the long-term monthly average). One project could assess such rapid thermal mortality and compare the responses of a range of species collected from a range of sites to determine possible implications of environmental anomalies (e.g. elevated temperature common during El Niño events) on the biological and physical structure of reef systems. The experimental component of the research is laboratory based but opportunities exist for both diving and snorkelling elements to be included.
IH303 The biology and ecology of coral reefs in turbid and highly sedimented environments, Indonesia (Weeks 2 - 8; need to have completed IH007) Under conditions of low light, the growth of most coral species decreases, colony morphology changes and the diversity of corals may be reduced. Changes to the species composition of the coral community coupled with differences in colony morphology will have profound effects on associated biodiversity. This research aims at examining the ecology and biology of a turbid and highly sedimented coral reef. One project could include detailed study of environmental conditions coupled with ecological studies of habitat quality (e.g. benthic composition), reef architecture (e.g. colony formations) and associated biodiversity (fish and invertebrates). The research could also analyze previously obtained data so that rates of change in key reef characteristics can be ascertained and change observed within reefs of sub-optimal light conditions compared to rates of change observed in reefs of optimal light conditions.
IH304 Reef building coral morphology across environmental gradients and consequences for reef architecture: from the corallite to the colony, Indonesia (Weeks 2 - 8; need to have completed IH007 and be dive trained) Calcification by reef building corals is a light enhanced process. Light quantity and quality will influence rates of calcification and also the morphology of coral colonies. In turn, the morphology of colonies influences the architecture of a reef, a factor that directly affects associated biodiversity and productivity. The effects of light can be considered at different spatial scales: the corallite and the colony. This research aims at increasing our understanding of how reduced light, in an impacted reef environment (high turbidity) and with different optical depths (product of light attenuation and depth), influences the structure and arrangement of corallites and the overall structure of the colony. This research is ideal for scuba divers but could be modified for snorkelling-based researchers. The colony formation of a number of species will be examined across environmental gradients and photography with subsequent image analysis software will be used to characterize corallite size, shape and arrangements.
IH305 Causes of and temporal and spatial variation in coral mortality in Indonesia (Weeks 2 - 8; need to have completed IH007 and be dive trained if incorporating a diving element) There are numerous factors that cause coral mortality ranging from environmental anomalies (e.g. elevated sea temperatures) through to disease. Knowledge of mortality rates is key for conservationists that manage reef systems. This research is therefore extremely important and is aimed at increasing our understanding of the rates of different mortality factors across different reef systems characterized by different environmental conditions. Specifically, research could include detailed investigation of thermal induced bleaching as compared to seasonal sub-lethal bleaching, examine the incidence rates of coral diseases and also examine coralivore activity across several sites of the Wakatobi. Data can be compared to previous years’ investigations to determine whether or not mortality rates change across the different sites and whether or not certain causes of mortality are increasing or decreasing. This research can be undertaken by scuba and snorkelling activities and will require detailed ecological surveys, underwater photography and repeated assessment of impacted coral colonies to determine mortality progression rates.
IH306 Baseline survey of an aggressive ascidian on reefs in the Wakatobi, Indonesia (Weeks 2 - 8; need to have completed IH007 and be dive trained) In recent years, an aggressive colonial ascidian (tunicate) has increased in abundance on reefs surrounding Hoga Island, particularly reefs that are impacted by high sedimentation. This ascidian is unique in that it is able to colonize live coral resulting in colony death. To date, no research has been undertaken on this ascidian despite the fact that it is causing significant mortality on reefs of the Indo-Pacific. Research is urgently required to assess the abundance of the ascidian, the corals affected, how environmental conditions influence its abundance, rates of ascidian colony extension and therefore rates of coral mortality. This research is only suitable for scuba divers and will involve extensive field surveys coupled with repeated measures of colonies affected across environmental gradients so that site-specific progression rates can be calculated.
HM307 Factors affecting freshwater invertebrate communities in the cloud forests of Honduras (Weeks 2 - 8; need to have completed HM001) The high-altitude forest reserves in Honduras were initially given legal protection as National Parks in order to protect the water supply downstream. However, water quality monitoring in the San Pedro Sula valley below Cusuco National Park is done only via infrequent chemical testing. Because chemical monitoring can easily miss intermittent pollution episodes, in many European countries monitoring of aquatic macro-invertebrate communities is done on a 3-monthly basis to assess water quality. This works well because different species have different tolerances to pollution. The macro-invertebrate communities reflect the worst conditions that have occurred over the previous few months and are therefore useful for picking up episodic pollution events. Operation Wallacea is developing a biotic water quality index that can be used for water quality monitoring in the Merendon mountains (which include Cusuco), building on pilot work done in 2008. Aquatic macro-invertebrate communities will be sampled and water quality will be assessed in a range of stream orders and habitats in different catchments all over the park. The collected data, together with new information collected, provides a good basis for dissertations/theses. Possible research avenues include looking at the effect of specific factors, such as stream order, flow rates, habitat, forest cover, geology, etc., on the invertebrate communities or on specific well known and documented taxa in the Park, such as dragonflies.
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