Night Wonder
Several nights ago a wondrous sight was happening 30 feet below the surface at Looe Key. The coral were spawning. A number of marine scientists from around the world had come to study the phenomenon with the assistance of a crew aboard a NOAA boat. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary staff were there to observe and help.
A night dive was underway. The reef was alive with working divers. Video lights illuminated the event, and a photographer recorded the action. Throughout several nights the scientists worked, gathering samples, then going to the surface and rushing to the lab to continue their studies and record data. Left to spawn the next night were the giant brain coral. Then it was over.
What will we learn from all this? That learning occurs on at least two levels. One is quite spiritual: the rare opportunity to share a special moment in the life cycle of another species. The other level is a practical one. It is not hard to notice that some of the coral at Looe Key, like coral around the world, is bleached and dying or dead. There is also a higher level of bacteria at the reef than in years past. One of the studies going on is to determine what effect this bacteria will have on new coral. Will the coral that is produced as a result of the spawning be more resistant to bacteria, or will the coral be weaker and more susceptible to disease? The answer will have a profound impact on the health of the oceans and the future of life on this planet.
A night dive was underway. The reef was alive with working divers. Video lights illuminated the event, and a photographer recorded the action. Throughout several nights the scientists worked, gathering samples, then going to the surface and rushing to the lab to continue their studies and record data. Left to spawn the next night were the giant brain coral. Then it was over.
What will we learn from all this? That learning occurs on at least two levels. One is quite spiritual: the rare opportunity to share a special moment in the life cycle of another species. The other level is a practical one. It is not hard to notice that some of the coral at Looe Key, like coral around the world, is bleached and dying or dead. There is also a higher level of bacteria at the reef than in years past. One of the studies going on is to determine what effect this bacteria will have on new coral. Will the coral that is produced as a result of the spawning be more resistant to bacteria, or will the coral be weaker and more susceptible to disease? The answer will have a profound impact on the health of the oceans and the future of life on this planet.
posted by Conchette at 9:27 AM
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