1. Global distribution of coral reefs

2. Topics covered in this presentation:
Geology
Reef types
Reef formation
Reef animals
Current Issues
Current coral research
French Polynesian outreach

3. Moorea
UC Berkley Gump Field Station

4. Geology of Moorea
Moorea and the surrounding islands were formed by a hotspot about million years ago
Hawaii
Galapagos

5. Fringing Reefs Located along the shore
Most common type of reef in tropics
Usually grow on hard bottoms
Usually the first type of reef to grow around a land mass

6. Barrier Reefs Separated from land or an island by a deep lagoon
Protects the island
from incoming waves
and storms

7. Atolls A circular shaped reef that encloses a lagoon in the center
It is thought
that Atolls form
around volcanic
islands as the
islands sink

8. Animals of the reef

9. Animals of the reef

10. Monitoring/Research What’s the big deal?

11. Monitoring/Research
This science project evaluates the distribution of bioeroders and endofauna in massive Porites corals within the lagoon of Moorea.
Specifically, the research tests the hypotheses that: (a) bioeroders and endofauna are distributed in a non-random pattern around Moorea, and
(b) scarids display optimal foraging behavior in relation to the density of Lithopoma

12. Bioeroders living within coral

13. Outreach Importance of outreach Connection to scientists
Connection to the community
Community involvement
Moorea 2009 Outreach
Classroom lectures
Lab tour
Field experience

14. Outreach
Researchers teaching local Polynesian school children at Gump Research Station

15. Outreach
Local Polynesian school children conducting research

16. Sampling conducted by local Polynesian school children
Outreach
Sampling conducted by local Polynesian school children