About This Project

The Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand reef communities have been exposed to warmer than average temperatures over the past 30 years. Dramatic changes in temperature stress coral, making them more susceptible to diseases and invasive species. The goal of this project is to identify the coral, diseases and invasive species present and the maturity stages at sites throughout the Islands. This will allow us to add knowledge about the state of the reef and compare them to other global ecosystems.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The purpose of this study centers on the coral community around the Poor Knights Islands, located off New Zealand. Situated just south of the Indo-Pacific warm pool, this community has been exposed to warmer than average temperatures over the past 30 years (Xie et al 2014). Dramatic changes in water temperature stresses coral, making them more susceptible to disease and invasive species (Richards 2015). Under ideal conditions, reef communities gradually accumulate species, reaching a peak in species diversity before becoming dominated by one or a few species (Karlson 1999). This makes the coral community off the Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand ideal for studying the role of climate driven forces on dominant reef species.

What is the significance of this project?

The task of identifying each global reef community, as well as how each has reacted to changing oceanic climates, cannot be completed by a single scientist or research group. This project aims to identify the reef communities and their species composition located in the Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve, New Zealand. The findings from this project can be used to fill a gap in knowledge regarding the single global reef community. In addition, the findings can be used by the local indigenous community. Knowing how reef communities are being impacted by changing oceanic conditions or human influence can lead to local community involvement to make better, more informed decisions on how to manage local natural resources (e.g. fishing/over-fishing, coral export for aquariums and fashion).

What are the goals of the project?

The goal of this project is to identify the coral species present at sites throughout the Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve. To do this, a small group of researchers are planning to travel to New Zealand and evaluate the colonies. A visual survey will be used to create rapid estimates of relative abundances and species identification of the reef communities. 360° cameras will be set up around the survey area to record video for additional view points for supplemental data, including; permanent record of diving conditions, fish, invertebrates, and benthic environmental conditions.

Having already started work on this project, the funds will be used to purchase research equipment and cover travel expenses in February 2018.