The Beach Profile

Feb. 27

Its our last day as field scientists on San Salvador Island. As the wind continues, we stay on the beach to measure the "profile" - the slope from the top grasses down to the water. The profile changes with the years and seasons, offering clues as to erosion and the movement of sand. We used meter sticks, string, and levels to take measurements every six meters. Team work was essential!

I was very excited to make a Skype internet phone connection with 3 classes in the science room. I magically appeared on a screen in front of the children, talking and showing them some treasures, while they peppered me with questions. It was great fun. Fortunately, the timing and connections all worked while Jennifer Upshaw, a reporter from the Marin Independent Journal, and her photographer there to cover the action. Check out the article at http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_11802476?IADID=Search-www.marinij.com-www.marinij.com .

The Expedition Summary

The data that was collected by the two teams of volunteers (there was another team the week previously) revealed normal February air and water temperatures, pH and salinity readings, and visibility. Happily, coral bleaching is not occurring. Those corals that showed bleaching in the past will be observed again in the summer to see if they are recovering or dying.

The cover type surveys show that hard corals - the kind that build the reef with their calcium carbonate skeletons - continue to decline. The percentage of algae covering the reef is high - up to 80% at two of the sites.

Along with measuring water chemistry and mapping the reef, the other team built some mock coral heads. The goal is to begin restoring the reefs by increasing the surface area available to coral and fish. In calmer conditions, both mock coral heads and live coral transplants can be attached to the existing reef using wire and epoxy. Ultimately, by providing local people the simple materials and tools to restore their reefs, the result will be a healthy coral reef ecosystem for generations to come.

So much depends on it! For more information about what you can do to help save coral reefs, visit the Coral Reef Alliance at http://www.coral.org.