Kaneohe Bay, an estuarine and coral reef ecosystem on the windward coast of Oahu, Hawaii, is often cited as an exemplary illustration of the resiliency of a natural system to environmental insult. Impacts to Kaneohe Bay coral reefs have resulted from various effects of natural processes such as...
While hurricane force waves may occur very infrequently in Hawaii, this source of stress appears to effectively limit Holocene reef growth in all areas except sheltered embayments. The pattern of damage and recovery of this coral ecosystem conforms to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, in ...
Protect ourselves and marine life and their habitat by not FEEDING them to; make animals less agressive, protect marine life from injesting harmful foods, protect the balance of the marine ecosystem, and let the fish do their job. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before entering the water. Reef saf...
This algae grows on the coral heads and also uses calcium carbonate in the reef building process. Many other species, such as sponges and other algae, live on the coral reef that are part of this ecosystem.The reef breaks down into sand by two main factors – mechanical erosion and ...
“Coral reefs provide coastal protection, they provide fisheries, they support cultural practices in Hawaii,” Gove said. “And the loss of reefs just has such detrimental consequences to the ecosystem.” Wildfire wreckage is visible on Aug. 9, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Tiffany...
A 20-year study is shining a light on a world that’s upending the very idea of a coral reef.
This past May, local people and underwater photographers of Keauhou Village in Kona, West Hawaii witnessed how fishermen damaged theKona coral reef,while trying to capture a beloved school of Akule, a local species also known as big-eyed scad. The locals took underwater photographs that show...
(CO2) emissions. While it is difficult to stop all CO2emissions, there is something that EVERYONE can do, on a small scale, to help the reefs. In addition to reducing the amount of driving we do and the plastics we use, another major help to the marine ecosystem includes using REEF ...
Indeed, the intricate interactions of Mr. Cleaner Wrasse and his clientele offer a glimpse into the delicate ecosystem of the coral reef. Like a sentinel of the sea, Mr. Cleaner Wrasse serves as a barometer of reef health, his presence indicative of the vitality and balance of this underwate...
With a name as colorful as its scales, this reef triggerfish, also the Hawaii state fish, can grow up to 10 inches long and can change its color to blend in with the coral. With a stout body and rough scales, it’s built for navigating the rock crevices of the ocean floor. The ...