Corals in Mo’orea, French Polynesia being eaten by crown-of-thorns sea star in 2008.
Photo Credit: Briana Fodor
Did you know that the corals from vibrant tropical reefs are actually an animal that grow a calcium skeleton? The coral reefs many enjoy snorkeling or diving through are created by this skeleton, which provides shelter for a diversity of other tropical animals and plants. Did you also know that neighbouring coral colonies wage war on each other to invade new areas of the reef for their own colony? These are just two of the many reasons coral reefs are way cool!
Sarah Joy on a research dive in Mo’orea, French Polynesia. Photo Credit: Briana Fodor
Join Dr. Sarah Joy Bittick as she shows some way cool coral reef secrets from her experience as a marine field biologist in Mo’orea, French Polynesia and the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Sarah Joy finished her PhD on coral reef and seagrass ecology from UCLA in June 2017 and is now a Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellow in marine conservation at the UBC Biodiversity Research Centre.
Her talk will include exciting coral reef videos and highlight some of her research considering human impacts on coral reefs. While we know that coral reefs are declining due to climate change and other human pressures—Sarah Joy will share a couple bright spots: the reasons for recent recovery of reefs in Mo’orea and other locations.
Included with museum admission or membership.