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Current coral reef research projects on the big island:
Do you know of any ongoing research that is not on this list? Please let me know at Tissot@Hawaii.edu. Mahalo!
Researchers: undergraduate students at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Advisor: Dr. Brian Tissot, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Funding: none
This research has been conducted jointly with students enrolled in the University of Hawai'i at Hilo's Tropical Marine Research course annually during summer session since 1992. Coral bleaching is a phenomena whereby corals lose their mutalistic microscopic plants and hence their color becomes white. Bleaching is believed to be a response to both natural and anthropogenetic stress and is of global concern due to its link with global warming and destruction of stratospheric ozone. We have been monitoring the abundance and extent of bleaching in all major species of coral at Kapoho. In recent years we have begun to measure declines in coral abundance although it is not clearly associated with bleaching. Because we now have four years of research the work will soon be written up for publication in a professional journal.
Researchers: Michael Childers and Dr. Brian Tissot, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Funding: none
This is a project which is examining the development and succession of corals by surveying reefs on submerged lava flows of different ages in Puna. The importance of the project is to establish a relationship between the development of coral reefs and economically important marine resources. One problem contributing to the worldwide destruction of reefs is a poor understanding of their contribution to marine fisheries. The project is in its preliminary stages and more surveys are planned this year with marine science students. I recently gave a talk on this research at a national meeting. Additional research will be disseminated through talks at scientific and public meetings and publications in professional journals.
Researchers: Brett Martin, Windy Gibson and Kent Backman, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Advisor: Dr. Brian Tissot, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Funding: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pelekane Bay has served as both a historical and cultural center for native Hawai’ians, in addition to serving as an valuable nursery area for commercially and recreationally important marine resources. In the last several decades this area has been subjected to considerable anthropogenetic disturbance due to the construction of the Kawaihae boat harbor and changes in the drainage patterns of the 12,000 acre watershed mauka of the Bay. The marine flora and fauna of Pelekane Bay was surveyed for the National Park Service in 1976. The goal of this project will be to resurvey the area to assess any long term changes in the marine biota and habitat of the area with the ultimate goal of providing guidelines for restoration of the Bay to enhance nearshore fisheries. This work will be published in a professional journal.
Researchers: Marian Westley, University of Hawai'i at Manoa; Brent Larsen, Robert Ames, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Advisors: Dr. Leon Hallacher, University of Hawai'i at Hilo; Dr. Bob Nishimoto, Dept. of Aquatic Resources, Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, Hilo.
Funding: Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, Main Hawaiian Islands Marine Resource Investigations project.
The study is designed to provide baseline information on coral cover and health on selected west Hawaii reefs that are subject to heavy nonconsumptive scuba diving vs reefs receiving less diving pressure. The proposed study areas are Mahaiula State Park, Pine Trees Fishery Management Area, North of Cook Point, and Kealakekua Bay. The main hypothesis to be tested is that reefs dived less frequently will exhibit greater coral cover and less signs of coral damage than reefs subject to intense nonconsumptive use. Sampling methods to be employed in this investigation include photoquadrant of benthic invertebrates and quadrant search for solitary macroinvertebrates. Each of the four survey areas will be sampled at least two times per year, with control and treatment pairs being surveyed on the same day or on successive days.
Researchers: Kristi West and Mark Carmichael, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Advisor: Dr. Brian Tissot, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Funding: Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and TORCH (The Ocean Recreation Council of Hawaii).
This study is designed to assess the effectiveness of installing pin moorings at Puako and near the Old Kona Airport to decrease the incidence of anchor damage to coral reefs. Surveys will be conducted over a two year period at each site and coral abundance will be compared below pin moorings and in areas at least 50 m distant from the site to assess changes in coral abundance associated with mooring use.
Researchers: Dr. Paul Jokiels, Dr. Evelyn Cox, Marian Westley
Advisor: Dr. Paul Jokiels, University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Funding: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Corals that are located in and near the Kawaihae small boat harbor are being transplanted offshore prior to expansion of the harbor, which is scheduled to begin in Feb. 1996. The goals of this project are to prevent damage to corals in the footprint of the new jetties; to have seed colonies which can be transplanted back unto the new jetties to accelerate coral establishment; and to gain knowledge on the effectiveness of transplantation as a mechanism to restock coral depleted areas.
See also link with Hawaii Prepatory Academy students
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