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Coral Reef Investigation at Pupukea, The Three Tables

Coral Reef Investigation at Pupukea, The Three Tables. Joel G. Kristina J. Noah E. P. Kaleigh M. Matthew G. For Your Information. The movement of the Pacific plate over a hotspot has created the Hawaiian Island Chain

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Coral Reef Investigation at Pupukea, The Three Tables

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  1. Coral Reef Investigation at Pupukea, The Three Tables Joel G. Kristina J. Noah E. P. Kaleigh M. Matthew G.

  2. For Your Information... • The movement of the Pacific plate over a hotspot has created the Hawaiian Island Chain • As the Pacific plate moves, magma is projected up through what is called a hotspot, where millions of years ago, the NW Hawaiian Islands were created and where, today, the seamount Lo’ihi is being created Lo’ihi’sformation

  3. FYI • An atoll is the last stage of an island’s life, billions of years after its creation • The island moves Northwest from the hotspot causing it to sink, erode and be surrounded by a circular reef that houses a lagoon • Many of the NWHI are at this stage in their lives, while the islands of he main chain are not Kure Atoll Midway Atoll

  4. FYI • Sunlight availability is significant in that it is necessary for photosynthesis in plants, who create energy that is passed throughout the entire ecosystem through food webs • Reefs grow most potently when they exist in water with temperatures between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius Ocean temperature around the world

  5. MacKenzie, Debbie. "Fish Eggs-The Perfect Food?." The Starving Ocean Feb 2002 14 Oct 2007 <http://www.fisherycrisis.com/fisheggs.html>.

  6. Problem All ecosystems in Hawaii depend on each other, and the reef is no exception. Our mission was to assess the “health” of Pupukea reef

  7. Findings * Benthic * Fish 1 * Fish 2

  8. Fish 1 78 percent of the fish species in this group (observed at the site in the past) were not observed during our study The Fish I team swam around the reef and documented species of fish visible. We also estimated the size of the species observed. Our team searched for Butterflyfish, Surgeonfish, Parrotfish and Ulua

  9. Fish 2 Fish 2 team found only 52 percent of the species that should have been at the reef. None of the eels that should have been there were observed Fish 2 team used the same method as Fish Team 1 but searched for a wide variety of species including wrasse, goatfish, eels and triggerfish

  10. Benthic • The Benthic team recorded coral, algae, and smaller species • In each quadrant we observed Limu Kohu, Zooanthid, and Brown Lobe Coral • This analysis shows that there aren’t many species evenly distributed

  11. Conclusion Our team’s conclusion for Pupukea was that it showed signs of negative human impacts. Several of the species observed in past studies were not present and there was a lack of top-level predators. We believe this marine conservation district needs more frequent monitoring and more protection from over-harvesting and perhaps, polluted run-off from the storm drain that flows onto the reef at the Three Tables area.

  12. Threats • Marine Debris • 2. People standing in the reef and smothering it • 3. Disease that is spreading through the ecosystem • 4. Over-harvesting • 5. Polluted run-off from the storm drain and nearby highway

  13. Protection Attempts • Makai Watch – neighborhood watch program • Educating public on harmful actions through ocean seminars • Beach Cleanups

  14. PHOTOS OF SPECIES OBSERVED

  15. Credits Kristina- Benthic and findings, pictures Noah- FYI, pictures Kaleigh- Threats and Protection Attempts, Pictures Matthew- Conclusion Joel- Fish 1 and 2, Pictures, Problem, Energy Flow

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