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Coral reefs only take up less than one percent of the ocean floor however are home to more than 25% of the ocean's creatures! With so many animals living in such tight quarters, it is really important that the habitat selected is the most ideal location. Habitat selection is one of the most important decisions an animal can make because it has life long consequences. The site that is selected can impact the amount of food available, mating opportunities, predator threats and the introduction to the social group (for social animals). Most coral reef organisms do not move more than 5 meters from the initial place that they choose, making this site even more vital.
Join Danielle Dixson, associate professor in the School of Marine Science and Policy as she discusses research on what information tiny fish and corals take into account when choosing a coral reef. What makes a good reef good and what makes a bad reef bad? What do animals do when the habitat they selected is under threat? More often than not, coral reef habitat is alive, natural disasters such as hurricanes and cyclones, competition or interactions with things like coral-eating eating animals, or human-caused disturbances (climate change, habitat destruction) can impact the quality of the home chosen. Lastly, the information gained from an ecosystem as complex as a coral reef can help inform conservation and restoration techniques right here in Delaware Bay.
Lecture is being held at the Marine Studies Library on the Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes, DE, in the Cannon Laboratory.