The
underwater world is one that has vastly been overlooked. Different classes of
thought can attribute this to different things but one prevalent reason is the
shift from terrestrial exploration to astral exploration. The ‘moon craze’ of
the 60’s turned societies outlook to space, hoping to learn more about the
moon, stars and planets. The oceans were regarded as big, deep and devoid of
anything worth spending resources on. Other than some of the key players –
whales, dolphins, coral, etc. – the ocean just seemed like a dark and empty
place where as space held infinite possibilities.
With
95% of our oceans unexplored, the ocean leaves much to be learned. I’ve been
PADI scuba certified since the age of 11 and living in Florida made it
accessible to dive when and where I wanted. I have always loved marine biology,
not with enough passion to pursue any sort of graduate school program in it,
but enough to want to expand my knowledge. Between my environmental science
classes and biology, there was always a section that focused on marine science.
The extent of this information was mangroves, trophic levels,
zooxanthellae/coral, and climate change related effects on the ocean. Due to
the impracticality of bringing 40 high school students out to visit the ocean
(unlike visiting the everglades, or terrestrial ecosystems), the classes were
never met with a hands on component. I thought a large part of what was missing
was being supplemented for the fact that I had been scuba diving for 6-7 years
by that point.
Coming
to OTS and having a week in Boca Del Toro provided an educational component
that I had been looking for throughout high school. Class was a mixture of
lectures and snorkeling. During this week, Jocelyn and I were the leaders of our
faculty led project. We explored the question of “the impact of structural
complexity on benthic community composition”. I had, while very limited, some
previous knowledge about the subject. I understood the relationship between
algae and coral and that algal cover was smothering our reefs. However, my idea
of this was very one-dimensional. I thought the process was only: nutrient run
off adds nitrogen and phosphorus, this aids algal growth, algae blocks the sun
and hinders coral reef health.
Starting
the project, we began to learn about the impact of herbivorous fish and some
invertebrates on reef stability. It had completely slipped my mind, or was
never there in the first place, that there were agents that so thoroughly
controlled the algae. I knew herbivorous fish ate algae but I was unaware of
their immense impact on the reef, on stability and on biodiversity. Going
forward with the project, we looked at herbivory, rugosity, herbivorous fish
and territorial fish frequency, and sea urchin abundance. What we found, while
not necessarily groundbreaking, was revealing for me. There was low algae cover
across all three sites and high coral cover (which is opposite to the trends
seen all over the world). In areas of low territorial damselfish, the
herbivorous fish were there to keep the algal population at bay. When there was
high damselfish frequency, sea urchins ate the algae and kept algal abundance
low. Two mechanisms for controlling algae cover, while they ‘make sense’ when
you think it through, were two things that I never connected the dots with.
Through lack of formal education on it, and a simple oversight at what I had
been noticing while diving, I had missed a crucial understanding of reef
management.
This
OTS course has given me many things – from wanting to incorporate fieldwork to
a better working knowledge of the tropics—but most recently it has renewed my
interest in marine ecosystems. College is a time where different majors,
minors, and certificates all are thrown at you trying to get you to join their
department. My passion for the environment has never wavered but different
interests within this realm come and go. As I continue growing and deciding my
future, this simple classroom activity will sure to stick with me.
Tanner Waters
Duke University
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