Field studies have shown for the first time that several common species of seaweeds in both the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans can kill corals upon contact using chemical means.... ...
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River Project

Posted on Jun 13, 10 at 12:01 pm. 
River Project art

The River Project is a marine science field station founded in 1986 at Pier 26 in Tribeca, on the lower west side of Manhattan, in New York City. The River Project works to protect and restore the ecosystem of the Hudson River estuary through scientific research, hands-on environmental education, and urban habitat improvement.

Contact Person: 
Nina Zain

Location

Pier 40 West St.
Manhattan, NY, 10014
United States
40° 42' 22.5396" N , 74° 0' 11.4804" W
See map: Google Maps
Keywords, e.g. "Oyster Farm": 
environmental field trips
marine biology internships
www.waterwire.net
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Title: The Effects of Grazing by Parrotfishes (Family Scaridae) on Selected Shallow Hawaiian Marine Communities Author(s): Brock, Richard Eugene Abstract: This study has been conducted to: (1) assess the quantitative effects that rasping parrotfishes in a coral reef ecosystem have on the structure of benthic communities; (2) describe the standing crop of parrotfishes and (3) examine scarid recolonization patterns on a fish depopulated patch reef. Field studies were conducted at both Johnston Atoll and Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii from 1975 through 1977. These studies suggest that there are two principal groups of Hawaiian parrotfishes. i.e., those with heavy dentition (Scarus perspicillatus, S. sordidus and S. taeniurus) that consume large quantities of calcium carbonate and probably utilize endolithic resources and those possessing relatively lightweight dentition (Scarus dubius and Calotomus sandvicensis) that appear to feed primarily on epilithic organisms. The latter species are not particularly abundant possibly due to competitive interactions with other herbivorous fishes (e. g., acanthurids) on Hawaiian reefs. Using an acid dissolution technique of extraction, the cryptobiota are estimated to range from 10 to 1400 g/m2 (dry weight) and average about 50 g/m2 in most Hawaiian reef systems. This potentially large food resource is systematically harvested by few other large reef species besides some parrotfishes and sea urchins. Laboratory experiments conducted at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology in Kaneohe Bay using a flow-through seawater system suggests that parrotfish (Scarus taeniurus) at low density cause benthic community structure to proceed to macroalgal dominance. At intermediate density, (0.6 to 1. 5 parrotfish/m2 or 9 to 17 g wet weight/m2 ) a diverse, high biomass community (to 400 g/m2 dry weight) develops which may be enhanced by the presence of refuges. At Scarus densities greater than 1. 9 fish (20 g wet weight per m2 ) and in the absence of refuges, a benthic community of low diversity and biomass (3 to 8 g/m2, dry weight) develops. Under high grazing pressure coralline algae are competitively superior as manifested through greater coverage. Recruitment and growth of corals in the experimental situation correlates positively with increased grazing pressure and the presence of refuges (P < 0.01). These data suggest that parrotfishes may be important to the maintenance of the overall structure of coral reefs. thus acting as keystone species to other components of the benthic community. Parrotfish densities for optimum benthic community development in the laboratory are similar to those observed in some field situations (Kaneohe Bay, Oahu--1.1 fish or 10.8 g/m2 ), and maximal growth of juveniles occurs at such densities. Field experiments conducted at Johnston Atoll suggests that at normal field densities, parrotfishes may appreciably alter the benthic community structure in two dimensional (planar) systems. The addition of a third dimension (substratum depth) alleviates this negative impact. Coralline substratum samples exposed to average field grazing pressure tend to harbor a more diverse cryptofaunal community than is present in substrata protected from grazers. The presence of a third dimension appears to give the epilithic and cryptobiotic components the protection from grazers necessary for survival. Depopulation and recolonization studies conducted on an isolated Hawaiian patch reef suggests that the MacArthur-Wilson theory of island biogeography models the observed fish recolonization. The calculated wet biomass of fishes prior to depopulation was about 930 kg/ha which is in the range of other published studies. Fish community structure was dominated by planktivores (55% by weight) followed by carnivores (32%), herbivores (12%) and omnivores (2%). The large standing crop of planktivores was related to abundant plankton probably caused by local nutrient enrichment. Recolonization studies demonstrate that parrotfishes are one of the most successful groups to recolonize, suggesting that they are opportunistic in their habitat selection. A comparison of these data to those from the same reef 11 years earlier indicates that the structure of this community has been stable and has persisted in spite of local environmental change. Description: Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1979. Bibliography: leaves [114]-126. hdl.handle.net
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Killer Seaweed Damages Coral

Posted on Jun 12, 10 at 12:02 pm. 
Killer Seaweed Damages Coral art
Field studies have shown for the first time that several common species of seaweeds in both the Pacific (Fiji) and Caribbean (Panama) can kill corals upon contact. They use chemicals to do the deed. A study documenting the chemical effects of seaweeds on corals was published this week in the early online edition of the journal [...] news.scubatravel.co.uk
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Three-year postdoc in the Netherlands

Posted on Jun 12, 10 at 1:02 am. 
Three-year postdoc in the Netherlands art

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is a top research institute of the Royal Dutch

Academy of Sciences (KNAW). The mission of NIOO-KNAW is to conduct excellent fundamental

research in ecology. Within the Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology (CEME), the

departments of Ecosystem Studies and Spatial Ecology offer a

Post-doc POSITION (M/F)

Marine ecologist / biological oceanographer

Vacancy number CEME-RE-010471

Research topic:

The oxygen flux towards the seafloor is a crucial indicator of the functioning of sediment–linked

ecosystems in coastal environments (intertidal flats, seagrass meadows). A promising recent

development is the Eddy Correlation (EC) method, which bypasses the limitations of traditional

oxygen flux methods, and allows flux estimates under true in situ conditions. The post-doc will

explore the opportunities that the EC technique offers to improve our understanding of the

metabolism of coastal ecosystems. Field measurements will be carried at nearby field sites

(intertidal flats, salt marshes, seagrass meadows) as well as in ongoing international projects.

The NIOO-CEME also harbours one of the largest biological flume facilities in Europe, in which

sediment communities can be exposed to tidal currents, waves or the combination of the two.

This laboratory set-up offers new possibilities to enhance our methodological understanding of

the EC technique and allows in depth ecological process studies.

Requirements:

We are looking for an enthusiastic, independent candidate with a PhD degree in the natural

sciences (marine ecology, oceanography, or physical geography) with an interest/experience at

the interface between hydrodynamics and ecology. Candidates should have a keen interest in

experimental ecological work in both field and laboratory, as well as a strong back-ground in

hydrodynamics and the application of software for data analysis (preferably programming

experience in R or matlab). Good communicational skills are crucial in order to publish research

findings in peer reviewed international journals.

Appointment:

The appointment is for 3 years, with a 1 year evaluation period. Supervision of the project will be

done by Dr. ir. F.J.R. Meysman (Dept. Ecosystem Studies) and Dr. T.J. Bouma (Dept. Spatial

Ecology).

Salary: Salary depends on training and work experience, the maximum gross monthly salary

coming with a full-time appointment will amount to € 3.678,00 scale 10, Collective Agreement for

Dutch Universities (CAO-Nederlandse Universiteiten), excluding 8% holiday pay and a year-end

bonus. We offer an extensive package of fringe benefits.

Location:

The Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology (NIOO-CEME) is located in Yerseke (The

Netherlands) and is situated in a beautiful estuarine area, with major cities like Antwerp, Brussels

and Rotterdam nearby. The NIOO-CEME is international oriented institute, hosting researchers

from many different countries.

Information:

A more detailed project description can be obtained by e-mail via receptie-ceme@nioo.knaw.nl or

by phone via +31-113-577300. General information on the NIOO can be found at the Internet:

http://www.nioo.knaw.nl.

Applications:

Please send your application before 1 May 2010, including complete curriculum vitae, referees

and vacancy number to Dr. A. Huiskes, NIOO-CEME, P.O. Box 140, 4400 AC Yerseke, The

Netherlands or by e-mail to receptie-ceme@nioo.knaw.nl.

www.umaine.edu
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