While at the Keys Marie Laboratory we were able to study different locations comparatively and identify the differences in species richness and abundance. We were able to visit sites in the middle and lower keys and form conclusions based on what we saw there.
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| The boat ride to locations |
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| Making wet mounts of macroalgae samples |
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| Identifying algae using dichotomous keys! |
I noticed a distinct difference in the diversities of the middle and lower keys, as well as a difference between the Gulf side and Atlantic side of the Keys. In the middle keys we saw more macroalgae and less species diversity. As far as the middle reefs, we saw a lot more soft coral, especially Gorgonians, than hard corals. In the Gulf of the middle keys we saw many sponges and mangrove forests.
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| Some of our macroalgae samples. |
When compared to the sites of the lower keys, like Looe Key, I saw a greater amount of diversity in the hard corals and in the tropical fish species. We saw more species as compared to many of one species with a high abundance.
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| A Peeking Puffer! |
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| French Angelfish |
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| Mermaid status! |
Overall, the Keys were a very different ecosystem from all of the other locations we have visited so far. It was a great experience and it was so nice to be back in the Keys.
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