Observation is the Key!

This past week we spent at the Keys marine research lab. We adventured to many different habitats including coral reefs, hard bottoms, mangroves, and sea grasses. The uniqueness and species diversity of these different habitats was incredible. Each has adapted to live in it own specific environment and have distinct characteristics that allow them to thrive in their areas.

(Coral skeleton)

We saw how corals have adapted to live in low nutrient and high wave energy areas. They have developed calcium carbonate skeletons that allow them to sustain and be protected from the dangerous environments they inhabit. They also live with symbiotic organisms such as zooxanthellae and cyanobacteria. These organisms get a place to live while they donate energy via photosynthesis to the corals. These organisms make up most of the food base for many organisms such as the fish that inhabit these areas. They also lower the wave action in the reefs and provide shelter for even more organisms.

(Angel fish amid some macro-algea)

The hard bottoms are mostly colonized by seagrasses, sponges and macro-algea with few corals. These areas are adapted to these areas in several ways. They are able to attach to substrates which keep them in place in the soft sediments they are also able to increase sedimentation in the area due to the buffering of the waves. This increases the sedimentation and nutrients in the soils as well as holding the soils together. They also provide a major food source and habitat for the organisms that live in these areas. However they require high amounts of light for photosynthesis.
                                               
                                                                  (Mangrove prop roots)
Mangroves are a very important and fascinating ecosystems. they actually increase the land mass by catching particles and over time this sedimentation creates island or extends the land mass out. Mangroves have adapted to living in high salinity and low oxygen waters by expelling salt from their leaves and obtaining oxygen through their leaves. Their roots also provides a surface for many organisms to colonize and a hiding place for many other organism. They also play a very important part in the nitrogen cycle in converting nitrate to a usable form.
                                                 
                                                                   (Turtle grass bed)
Seagrasses were some of the most interesting environments to study. Seagrasses provide food shelter and protection from the waves, making them abundant in species diversity. Seagrasses also provide a place for epiphytes to grow which creates an entirely new base of the food chain and increasing the species diversity. Seagrasses are able to survive in low nutrient environments because they are able to pull nutrients out of the soil as well as store energy in their roots systems. Which allows them to quickly regrow after a destructive event.
Over all the ecosystems that we visited in the Keys were each unique in both the organisms that inhabited them as well as their methods for success in their environment. Observing these ecosystems was incredible and so eye opening.

Keys Marine Lab

I had a blast this past week in the Keys and was very happy to be back in the clear water of south Florida. In the first picture is me and the rest of the crew headed out to the reefs to observe them while snorkling and to get a list of all the species of fish and coral seen at each reef. In the second picture down Laura and I are trying to identify a species of macro algae with the help of a nice field guide. In the third picture is one of my favorite fish to see while in the water which is the porcupine fish. I saw him under a ledge, which is where I normally find them hanging out, and went down and snapped a picture. The last picture is a picture of a neon goby I toke right out back of KML while snorkling. They are another very cool fish and have a symbiotic relationship with other fish and will set up cleaning stations under ledges or on coral heads where other fish such as a grouper or angel fish will come by to get picked clean of parasites by the neon goby. Overall I got to see various different reef structures like shallow hard bottom reefs, patch reefs, looe Key, and also the seagrass beds and mangrove islands, all very important in there own way and vital habitat to keep all the diversity seen in the Florida Keys flourishing.

Keys Marine Lab, Pt. 2

On Wednesday we started with a lecture on macro algae by Dr. Hanisak followed by a mini lab in which we practiced using a dichotomous key to identify algae he had found in the field. We then set off to a site just offshore called Big Sponge, and rightfully so. It was distinguished by an assortment of sea sponges from lobular shapes to vase sponges, many of them quite large in size. In this area we also saw sea grasses, small corals, and a variety of fish, including a batfish. Afterwards we made our way to an artificial reef made from pieces of an old bridge in Hawk's channel. It was amazing to see how much reef was able to develop after only a short time and the biodiversity was astonishing. There were many soft corals and scleractinians, as well I saw some southern stingrays and a spotted eagle ray. This site also had a lot of ctenophores.

(left to right) Halimeda, Udotea, Penicillus, Caulerpa

Analyzing the Macroalgae

Searching for the octopus in our invertebrate collection

Thursday was by far our busiest day. Much to my dismay we left KML at 6:15 am for Looe Key (only because I'm not a morning person though). However, as  I was able to sleep on the 40 minute drive to there I got over my fatigue and greatly enjoyed one of the most well preserved reefs in the keys . As we had gone over the fish and coral we might see I was able to identify many of the species seen, such as goliath groupers, great barracudas, schools of yellow tail snapper, bar jack and sergeant majors, Orbicella faveolata and even Acropora palmata . After visiting two offshore sites we made our way back to the resort we left out of and enjoyed a small poolside lunch break. After having a short break we made a quick drive down to Mote Marine Lab where Dr. David Vaughan told us about coral restoration projects involving fragmentation and growth in captivity and the high level of success the efforts are having. Next, we went to Bahia Honda and explored the intertidal pools created by ancient exposed reefs. While there we also analyzed the species abundance in the Sargassum located in the shallow waters of Bahia Honda.

Mote Marine Lab

Fossilized Lab Generated Acropora cervicornus

Our last day in the keys began at the Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park. There we were able to explore the geological, historical and botanical aspects of the area with the guidance of our park ranger. It was quite remarkable to see the history of the Windley key area. Because of the Key West Limestone (Keystone) quarries located there you are able to see back hundreds of years in the ancient coral reef. It was awesome and it also gave us a chance to identify coral before our test.

Windley Key Fossil Reef

Dr. Hanisak explaining aspects of the intertidal zone at Bahia Honda

Keys Marine Lab: Pt. 1

Key West is the southernmost point in the continental United States and has been a tourist hub since the early 1900's when Henry Flagler completed the infamous Florida East Coast Railway. This railway ran from here in Jacksonville, Florida all the way down to Key West. This railway essentially allowed for the keys to become one of the wealthiest places in the country due to its incomparable beauty, a beauty I got to see for myself during my stay at the Keys Marine Lab on Long Key.

The Keys Marine Lab was one of the coolest places I've stayed during my travels throughout Florida. It lay adjacent to the Florida Bay with a beautiful sea grass meadow filled with spiny lobster, spaghetti worms and even a nurse shark. KML acts as a sort of nursery for the juvenile lobster who must one day make the treacherous journey to the reef.

On the boat

On our first day in the keys we began with a boat ride to 3 offshore reef sites: Eleven Foot Mound, Long Key Ledge, and Elbow Reef. The biodiversity seen in these reefs was unparalleled to any site I had seen before, though the week was full of surprises in that each day we saw sites which were richer than the foregoing day. Though on this first day I was unable to identify most things I saw I was astounded by the beauty and biodiversity of the fish, soft coral, scleractinians, sponges and macroalgae present. After returning to KML we finished the evening with a short lecture about the basics of coral reef systems and discussed what we had seen.

Outside Koch Key

On Tuesday we ventured to a mangrove island known as Koch Key in the Everglades National Park protected area. We snorkeled through, around and under the mangroves that the island was composed of. There was quite an abundance of juvenile fish swimming in schools of thousands, as well as many larger fish, such as the mangrove or grey snapper. Spiny lobsters also made in appearance hiding between the prop roots. The island was surrounded with sea grass meadows primarily made up of manatee grass, or Syringodium filiforme, as well as small sponges and algae. Then we went to another sea grass meadow, this time made up of a mixture of manatee grass and turtle grass (Thalassia Testudinium). While here we collected invertebrates. Some of the species I fond include an octopus no bigger than a golf ball, a whelk, and a few hermit crabs.  Once we returned to KML we concluded the evening with a lecture about fish identification where Dr. Voss informed us about the 50 most abundant fish.

Lobster

The Keys: A Comparative Study

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.

The boat ride to locations

Making wet mounts of macroalgae samples

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.

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.

A Peeking Puffer!

French Angelfish

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.

Keys Marine Lab Week!

This week in the Keys Marine Lab on Long Key was characterized by our extensive coral reef exploration, snorkeling adventures, and a hearty dose of Vitamin D! I've spent a lot of time in the Florida Keys in recent years, through family and friend trips, and my coral larvae research at the Mote Marine Lab, but my experience this week was unlike anything I have ever encountered before. This was due to the extensive field time that was planned by Dr. Voss and Dr. Hanisak. Throughout the week, we toured vastly different habitats from mangrove "jungles" to the most extensive and untouched coral reefs I have EVER seen. The days were set up in which (almost) every morning began with boat and field work and ran until about 3 in the afternoon, followed by an hour break, and then a brief lecture in the evening.

The view from our balcony of the Keys Marine Lab facility
Photo taken by Arien Widrick

Keys Marine Lab!
Photo taken by Arien Widrick

On Monday, we visited 3 offshore reef sites: Eleven Foot Mound, Long Key Ledge, and Elbow Reef. Unfortunately, I realized how rough the seas were going to be a little too late, and spent a lot of the time leaning over the edge of the boat, but the sites were amazing and I did the best I could to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This picture shows the boat we used to travel to the various sites.
Photo taken by Arien Widrick

Packed on the boat like sardines!
Photo taken by Arien Widrick

"Look how blue the water is!"

On Tuesday I made sure I took my seasick medication, and had a much more pleasant experience. We went to a site called Koch Key, in the Everglades National Park. We snorkeled through and around the mangroves that filled the island shown below. There were amazing areas where the mangroves formed somewhat of a "grotto" or sheltered slow moving area surrounded for all sides and above by the trees and its prop roots. Then we went to a snorkel area right off of the KML that was predominately seagrass.

Koch Key
Photo taken by Arien Widrick

Gorgeous mangrove canopy 

On Wednesday we started with a lecture on macro algae by Dr. Hanisak. Next, we went out for a "half-day" on the boat in anticipation for the long day we would be having on Thursday. We went to a site just offshore of a beach called Big Sponge. As the name suggests, it was characterized by various sea sponges from lobular shapes to vase sponges. I was surprised at the diversity of fish in the area; after Dr. Voss's lecture of the top 50 most abundant fish on Tuesday I was extremely pleased to be able to identify most of the fish I saw. We also went to an artificial reef in Hawk's channel. The highlight of that site was seeing a 9 foot nurse shark cruise through the surprisingly high coverage of coral on the artificial foundation. 

Various Macro-algae types including Halimeda, Penicillis, Valonia and Caulerpa

As promised, Thursday was jam-packed with activities. We left KML at 6:15 am for Looe Key. The loss of sleep was proved worthwhile as we arrived at the most beautiful, extensive, and diverse coral reef I have ever seen. I was filled with hope as I snorkeled through schools of Sergeant Majors and followed giant Midnight Parrotfish as they nibbled on bits of massive coral heads. After hearing about the mass bleaching events and coral "graveyards" I was skeptical and unsure that pristine reefs were even existent. Looe Key, thankfully, proved me wrong. Our next location, Mote Marine Lab, also gave me hope about the fate of the corals. Although I have stayed at Mote two years to perform coral larvae research with Dr. Cliff Ross, I have never received the background knowledge and grand tour of the facility that I was given on Thursday. Dr. David Vaughan told us about coral restoration projects involving fragmentation and growth in captivity and the high level of success the efforts are having. Next, we went to Bahia Honda and explored the intertidal pools created by ancient exposed reefs. Cody and I walked ahead and found a giant empty conch shell!!! 

Example "puck" that a skeleton Acropora cervicornis, one of the most successful species in restoration, has grown on
Photo taken by Arien Widrick 

Giant conch shell at Bahia Honda! 

On Friday, we visited the Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park and received a tour of the park; our guide covered the geological, botanical, and historical importance of the area. 

Quarrying machine at Windley Key
Photo taken by Arien Widrick

Mesmerizing root system of the Ficus aurea, or the Strangler Fig

My classmates and I have agreed that this week has been phenomenal. We enjoyed the fact that the learning structure was more casual, flexible, and hands-on, although the same could be said about the other locations as well. But, its hard to beat the exotic, mysterious, diverse, and unparalleled habitat that is the Florida Keys. 

Observations of Florida Keys Habitats

This past week was incredible. I had never been to the Keys before or on a coral reef. Finally seeing all of the fish and corals I'd been reading about and seeing pictures of was an unforgettable experience. Waking up to go snorkeling every morning was awesome. Dr. Voss and Dr. Hanisak got us out to as many different marine habitats as possible and it was interesting to see the differences in each location. No two locations were the same.

Keys Marine Lab 

Florida Spiny Lobsters were packed into almost every rock crevice in the waters behind Keys Marine Lab:

The most common corals I saw in this area were small colonies of:

Siderastrea siderea (left) and Siderastrea radians (right)

and

Manicina areolata

 



Mangrove Island

The mangrove island we visited was different than any of the other mangrove habitats I'd seen. Since it is surrounded by water, the current erodes the sediment under the mangrove roots creating a cave-like habitat of cooler water that's home to many mangrove snapper.

(http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/posters/Coastal_Ecology/Mangrove_prop_root/graysnapper2.jpg)

Seagrass Beds

We've encountered many seagrass beds during this trip but one of my favorites was a very shallow bed littered with small colonies of Porites porites along with Thalassia and various macroalgae.

Patch Reefs

Each patch reef we visited was a little different in terms of size and species composition. Most were dominated by gorgonians but differed in size of hard corals. Some patch reefs had small hard coral colonies while others had hard coral colonies measuring several feet wide. Fish composition was limited to relatively smaller species compared to Looe Key.

Diploria labyrinthiformes

Looe Key Reef

The reef at Looe Key was the most diverse and rich of any other habitat in the Keys. All of the fishes we had seen in previous habitats were there as well as the larger fishes that were absent in the other habitats. Among them were sharks, tarpon, and goliath grouper. Coral composition was different as well. Much of the substrate on the reef was covered with large colonies of Palythoa in a reef that was once dominated by Acropora palmata and A.cervicornis - which we saw very rarely compared to everything else.

Acropora palmata

Acropora cervicornis