The island Bazimut, one of the many islands in the Madang Lagoon for which scientists have given local place names when describing new species. Anamixis bazimut is an amphipod described and named by Jim Thomas who collected the original specimen from the reefs of Bazimut. *All Photos Courtesy Jim Thomas

Annelids, amphipods, and mollusks…oh my!

While these creatures would be quite a mouthful for Dorothy, scientists view them as invaluable bio-indicators in coral reef systems, signaling the health and integrity of the reef, and they are found in great abundance in the Madang Lagoon, which is nestled along the remote north coast of Papua New Guinea.

This past month, a research team returned to the lagoon to conduct a current taxonomic assessment that can be compared to biodiversity levels recorded in the same spot 20 years earlier, as well as hunt for new species. A small team of 4 scientists and 2 graduate student researchers led by Professor James Thomas from Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute were embedded within a larger French expedition to the area under direction of Philippe Bouchet from the Natural History Museum in Paris. According to Thomas, the Madang Lagoon has the greatest diversity of marine species in the world that has been formally described, and the goal of the trip was to document any changes that may have occurred since it was last explored.

A new species of Leucothoe amphipod found living inside a sponge.

Back in 1990, Thomas received two seed grants from National Geographic for the original site work that lead to the discovery of the unusual levels of diversity in the lagoon. His initial goal was to establish diversity levels across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). “Nobody thought there were reefs on the northern coast of New Guinea, because researchers assumed you needed shallow coastal areas for coral reefs to thrive,” Thomas explains. Nevertheless, the team began the census in the Madang Lagoon before heading to the northern tip of the GBR and was puzzled to discover an unprecedented amount of diversity right where they thought it wouldn’t be.

“In Madang, we went a half mile out off the leading edge of the active Australian Plate and were in 6000 meters of water. There were no shallow bays and lagoons typical of most coral reef environments. When we returned to our labs and began to formally assess our collections we found more species in our study organisms in this relatively small lagoon than the entire remainder of the Great Barrier Reef,” Thomas recalls. The vast array of species the team found in this first lagoon, which is a mere 3 by 14 kilometers, set a high benchmark for the rest of the expedition. This finding challenged the accepted theory of species radiation, and caused scientists to ask how this deeply branched diversity arrived in Madang Lagoon.

Another new species of an amphipod, Leucothoe, found living as a male-female pair the mantle cavity of a small clam, Lyocardium sp.

On the heels of his successful findings, Thomas continued his work cataloguing the lagoon’s species through a four-year funded program he established at the Smithsonian, which sent researchers from various disciplines back to the site. What resulted were numerous published scientific papers on one of the most detailed and diverse catalogue of tropical coral reef species ever recorded. Thomas explains that the team of researchers also eventually learned that the high biodiversity found in Madang was likely linked to the complex geology of the area rather than the biology. “What you have in northern New Guinea is layered accretions of old reef heaped up as the Australian tectonic plate moves northward colliding with other major and minor plates. It’s akin to many Noah’s arks crashing into the shoreline,” he explains.

A crinoid, or feather star echinoderm. Dr. Greg Rouse, Scripps, is studying the crinoids, graduate student Mindi Summers is investigating the commensal invertebrates that live crinoids.

And now his story has come full circle.

With news of World Bank-funded tuna canneries popping up alongside new mining operations in the lagoon, Thomas and his crew along with the French research team not only wanted to conduct a census to see what has changed in the past 20 years, but also to create a new baseline that the local landowners could use to track the effects these new industries might have on their reef. “This part of the world is a complex interweave of biology and sociology. The new mining operation is now dumping thousands of tons of mining waste into the Ramu River, the residue of which could end up in the Madang Lagoon. So the big worry is heavy metal accumulation and siltation,” Thomas explains. While Thomas’ team concentrated on previous research sites, the French group conducted comprehensive surveys of the entire reef system and surrounding deep waters, resulting in hundreds of new species records, many waiting to be confirmed as new to science.

Children from Riwo village run to wave at us as we pass by in our boat. Young children are given small outrigger canoes and are free to explore their island waters.

The research is no piece of cake due to logistics and local politics. From the Eastern US it’s a forty-four hour trip to reach the lagoon. Once the team arrives they must navigate local customs and landholdings. According to Thomas, everything in the country is owned. “You can’t just go out on a boat and dive, or you could be dynamited.” The three clans that own the Madang Lagoon require the team hire a boat, a captain, and an observer for each location. In addition, to help build strong relationships with the local landowners prior to the expedition, the French research team headed by Dr. Bouchet spent time conducting advance visits and meetings. As a result, Thomas goes on to explain that, on the whole, landowners appreciate the work the researchers are doing.

Mindi Summers, a PhD graduate student at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, showing local children her feather star specimens.

At the lab facilities located on the campus of The Divine Word University established near the Madang Lagoon, the researchers sort, photograph, classify, and analyze genetic information of all the species collected during the day’s dives. The researchers welcome local landowners and children to the lab area to work alongside them. Locals are encouraged to look through the microscopes, observe collected materials, and help process the samples. “Many who look at the teeming small things under the microscope had no idea such things were present on their reefs,” Thomas explains.

Now back in Australia and debriefing before returning stateside, the team has counted the expedition a success and is looking forward to bringing the unique story of the Madang Lagoon and its astounding biodiversity to the public eye.

Some of the team after a dive at Tab Island Reef. From left to right; Jim Thomas, Expedition Leader; our Riwo boat captain, Lasek; Greg Rouse; Mindi Summers

The Madang Research Team:

-James D. Thomas, Professor, Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute
-Greg Rouse, Professor, Scripps Institute of Oceanography
-Terry Gosliner, Provost & Director of Science & Collections, CA Academy of Science
-Matthew Jebb, Director, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin
-Ms. Mindi Summers, PhD Student working with Dr. Rouse
-Mrs. Stephanie Andringa, Masters Student working with Dr. Thomas

*Please contact Dr. James Thomas at Anamixis@hotmail.com for further information about the expedition and research on Madang Lagoon.

From left to right: NSU President George L. Hanbury II joins undergraduate student Erica Oliva and NSU Oceanographic Center doctoral student Liz Larson at the university’s offshore coral reef nursery, off the coast of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The nursery is where NSU students and scientists transplant healthy corals grown in NSU laboratories to repopulate and replace damaged corals.

This Saturday is the one-month anniversary of Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) new 86,000 square-foot Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research. The $50-million facility, located at NSU’s Oceanographic Center at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Hollywood, Florida, celebrated its grand opening at the end of September.

The massive and multifaceted project was funded in large part by President Obama’s stimulus package from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Specifically, the money came from a $15 million grant from the US Department of Commerce, with the NSU funding the remainder of the project’s cost.

The grant was one of the largest of 12 given for winning a nationwide competition held by the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. Other grantees included the Woods Hole Oceanographic Center, Columbia University, Purdue, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Georgetown University, and University of Maryland.

NSU's Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research with the marine in the foreground

According to Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D., dean of NSU’s Oceanographic Center and executive director of their National Coral Reef Institute, the university felt it was a worthwhile investment. “Coral reefs are ecosystems of incredible environmental as well as economic value,” Dodge explained and added, “The UN estimates that globally coral reefs generate over $172 billion per year from the services they provide including tourism, recreation, and fisheries. In South Florida alone, reef ecosystems have been shown to generate over $6 billion in annual economic contributions and more than 71,000 jobs.”

With coral reefs facing numerous threats such as overfishing, rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification due to CO2 from pollution, and coastal development, scientists say research and immediate action is needed to prevent further decline of our reefs. According to Dodge, we have already severely degraded and/or permanently destroyed 25-30 % or the world’s reefs. “Some [models] even predict reefs could be wiped out within a human generation unless action is taken,” he explains.

NSU President, George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D agrees. “The research center is critical for the environmental sustainability of coral reefs, which are the life blood of our region and oceans, and their ecosystems,” says Hanbury. Not only is the center crucial for protecting reefs, it is also, according to Hanbury, important to the local economy. “This center is a boon to NSU’s multidisciplinary research mission as well as being a catalyst for the creation of hundreds of new jobs in the region, both academic and non,” he explains. To date the center has created 22 academic jobs, 300 construction jobs, employed 50 graduate students, and preserved 22 already-existing academic jobs.

From Left to Right: Back row - Richard E. Dodge, Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, and NSU President George L. Hanbury II. Front row - NSU Oceanographic Center graduate students demonstrate how NSU's onshore coral reef nurseries work.

The center is aptly located in southern Florida, a state that is home to 84% of the nation’s reefs, where businesses in the area such as dive shops, restaurants, hotels, gift shops, boat tours, cruises all depend on the reefs for their livelihoods. “…[the] coral reef research center will help sustain and preserve the reefs, which will then help many small business owners like me to continue to survive,” Frank Gernert, owner of the local Fort Lauderdale waterfront restaurant, Coconuts, stated in a press release.

This could explain why the grand opening ceremony drew such high profile figures as Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Dr. Paul Sandifer, Senior Science Advisor to the NOAA Administrator, and former Vice President, Al Gore. In addition, numerous members of federal, state, county, and local government attended, as did NSU’s Board of Trustees and many private citizens. “The community showed a great deal of interest and support,” Dodge explained of the level of participation on opening day.

From Left to Right: Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D.; dean of Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center and executive director of NSU's National Coral Reef Institute; NSU President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D.; U.S. Congresswoman and Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz; Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore; and Fred Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D., Chancellor of NSU's Health Professions Division at the grand opening.

Using the center’s new cutting-edge laboratory facilities and equipment, marine science library, and 85-seat auditorium, Hanbury and Dodge hope to achieve several concrete goals including:

- Assess the current overall health of coral reefs and their recoverability
- Further study the impacts of climate change on reefs
- Examine the effects of run-off pollution on reefs
- Investigate the flow of water in and around reefs
- Study coral growth rings to reconstruct the history of reefs
- Map the extent of coral reefs around the world & how they are changing
- Cultivate species of coral in nurseries for reintroduction to the ocean

Time will tell if these goals are fully achievable, but one thing is certain: the center is off to a strong start and is armed with a dedicated staff who are passionate about saving our reefs across the globe.

*All photos courtesy NSU

Coral reef near Denis Island in the Seychelles that has suffered coral bleaching. Photo by: Shannon Switzer www.GirlChasesGlobe.com

One young man thinks so, and he’s started a for-profit business called ReefCam to do just that.

Tim Richards, owner and founder of ReefCam, who is currently working on his MBA at American University, first developed the idea after mulling over different environmental business models he could implement in the Caribbean. He landed on this one and hit the ground running.

Here’s how it works: Richards and his high-tech team set up specialized underwater equipment that streams live HD video of visually stunning coral reefs and coral reef nurseries located worldwide. The feeds are then sold to businesses with high foot-traffic such as resorts & spas, corporations, schools & universities, restaurants, and hospitals.

In addition to improving aesthetics, Richards envisions the feeds providing many other valuable services. For example, at beach resorts that offer diving, the stunning imagery can help spur SCUBA reservations, and for organizations or businesses with marine conservation programs, the HD video feed can be used as a real-time education and research tool. Richards is also hopeful that the feeds will create skilled jobs for local hosts both at the installation sites on the reef as well as the output sites. And what business model would be complete without a mobile app so smart phone users can drool over the footage too? He’s got that covered.

“The vast majority of groups we’ve spoken with have been very encouraging. They love the idea of having a live view of reef to show off. It’s both aesthetically pleasing and brings environment and conservation to the front of peoples’ minds,” Richards explained in a recent interview, when asked how the idea has been received by both the commercial and environmental worlds thus far.

While Richards’ innovative form of reef conservation has mainly been met with positivity, he admits that at first he personally wrestled with the ethics of monetizing the earth’s reefs, because he views them as priceless.

The ReefCam team from left to right: Tim Richards, David Bidwell, Josh Bailar, Noah Gray. Photo courtesy: Tim Richards

“The most backlash I’ve experienced has come from myself,” he stated and went on to explain, “…it’s important to understand that though we are a for-profit entity, we are not out to exploit the reef. ReefCam’s mission is to show people, some who may never get to see a reef firsthand, its natural beauty and importance to our planet’s health. Operating as a for-profit company provides the best opportunity to reach the most people possible for many years to come.”

While his company remains in the trial stage for now, with several live test feeds still getting the bugs worked out of them, Richards aims to have the first official feeds up and running by next month. He explained that in addition to the team’s strategically chosen reef sites, ReefCam is open to establishing new feeds based on requests from clients.

When asked what the biggest challenge has been so far in getting ReefCam from concept to viable business, he responded, “Coordination. This project requires many partners with different skill sets in numerous locations. It truly is the meeting of environment and business, which is an awesome thing, but it also means working amongst all the necessary parties in many fields. One minute I’ll be discussing financing or telecomm, and the next thing I know I’m on the phone with a diver regarding algae on the cameras.”

Richard’s overarching vision for ReefCam is to revolutionize the way the scientific community approaches raising awareness about reef conservation by putting it directly under the nose of the general public. Rather than preaching to the choir, as he suggests environmental researchers often end up doing, ReefCam will connect anyone who vacations, visits the hospital, or walks into a business highrise directly to the reef. These people, Richards explains, are the missing link, the ones who, once they see firsthand the beauty of the reef ecosystem and learn about its plight, can bridge the gap between science and every day life.

For the sake of our reefs, let’s hope he’s right.

To learn more about ReefCam contact Tim Richards at ReefCamLLC@gmail.com

Bermuda Chubs near reef in Chankanaab National Park, Cozumel, Mexico. Photo by: Shannon Switzer www.GirlChasesGlobe.com

How to celebrate?

If you’re in the DC area come paddle the Anacostia, America’s “Forgotten River,” this Saturday, September 29th, with non-profit Below the Surface in partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Department of the Interior, and the US Geological Survey.

Photo: By Shannon Switzer (www.GirlChasesGlobe.com) as part of Nat Geo Young Explorer Grant Source to Sea Project

In addition to celebrating the Clean Water Act, the paddle will also serve as the official East Coast launch of Below the Surface’s Riverview Project and its mobile app, which is designed to engage individuals as explorers and citizen scientists by giving them a program to instantly upload geo-tagged photos of the rivers they love as they recreate on them. These crowd-sourced photos will also provide policymakers a clear and robust map with photos and reference areas of high recreational use along America’s rivers. This project is a crowd-sourced version of Google’s Streetview. It is being powered by a mobile app that photographs, geocodes, provides user-generated comments, and shares pictures on the master Riverview map at www.belowthesurface.org and on each user’s Facebook wall.

THE SCOOP:

When

September 29th 2012, 9 am – 1 pm

Where

The main branch of the Anacostia River. The paddle will commence just north of Bladensburg, MD at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park. The paddle will conclude at the Anacostia River Park, just upstream from the confluence of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers.

PUT IN ADDRESS

Meet at 9 am, Shove off by 10 am

Bladensburg Waterfront Park

4601 Annapolis Road Bladensburg, MD (301) 779-0371

End at approximately 12 pm

TAKE OUT ADDRESS

Anacostia Park

1900 Anacostia Drive Southeast Washington, DC 20020 (202) 698-2250

Please plan to arrange for your own transportation from the Anacostia River Park back to the Bladensburg Waterfront Park after the paddle!

How

The team will use stand-up paddle boards to paddle the main branch of the Anacostia River and establish an East Coast base of images for the Riverview Project. Other organizations and individuals are invited to join the STAND UP FOR CLEAN WATER paddle on any vessel that will carry them over the 8-mile paddle. All paddlers are responsible for their own food, water, equipment and transportation.

*Please contact Jared Criscuolo at: jared@belowthesurface.org and see the Facebook Invite http://www.facebook.com/events/523721827643082/ for more information and updates!

Hope to see you there!

NOTE: If you want to join, bring your vessel of choice; unfortunately we don’t have any for rent and won’t have enough extras to borrow.

Photo: By Shannon Switzer (www.GirlChasesGlobe.com) as part of Nat Geo Young Explorer Grant Source to Sea Project