Currents Fall 2012 Newsletter - Volume XXVII, Number 2

12 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) AND SPATIAL ECOLOGY LABORATORY Researcher: Brian Walker, Ph.D. “Research on the spatial arrangement of coral reef habitats and their constituents will generate sound data for science, policy, conservation, and management of coral reef ecosystems.” Research Focus: The lab utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool to study the ecology, distribution, and spatial arrangement of benthic (sea bottom) coastal and ocean habitats and marine organisms. This research provides maps and other spatial information for enhancement of knowledge, conservation, and resource management. Research Activities: • spatial ecology—seascape/landscape ecology, spatial dynamics of coral reef communities, latitudinal coral reef biogeography, marine faunal relationships to topography • seafloor characterization—benthic habitat mapping (shallow and deep water), accuracy assessment, mapping techniques, and technologies • scientific research study design—optimized research study design using GIS spatial data, developing and evaluating assessment and monitoring methodologies • management applications of scientific research • coral habitat impact assessment (shallow and deep), marine spatial planning, Acropora monitoring and mapping, anchorage placement/ modification, special event impact minimization planning • coral reef geology—historical perspectives gained from present- day morphology and community dynamics Historical port development and shipping impacts at Port Everglades, Florida Research scientist Brian Walker, Ph.D. INVERTEBRATES LABORATORY Researcher: Charles Messing, Ph.D. “By far the most diverse creatures in the sea are the invertebrates—the animals without backbones. Many species are not yet discovered or described. Thework of this laboratory focuses on expanding our knowledge of these extraordinary organisms, both in the fossil record and in the ocean today, to help us understand how marine ecosystems work. You cannot understand ecology or biodiversity unless you know what’s there.” Research Focus: The lab focuses on scientific classification, evolutionary relationships, and ecology of marine invertebrates. Charles Messing with a new species of octocoral collected via the Johnson Sea- Link submersible at a depth of 600 meters in Northwest Providence Channel, Bahamas Research Activities: • systematics, ecology, and evolution of marine animals without backbones • living and fossil crinoids (sea lilies and feather stars) • sponge classification and identification • habitat characterization of deep-ocean slope communities • ecology and speciation of deep-sea coral reefs • deep-ocean reef and other habitat mapping A rich community— including deep-sea coral, crinoids, sea urchin, spider crab, colonial anemones and worm tubes—grows on a carbonate ridge at a depth of 600 meters in the Strait of Florida. The deep-water limestone formations in the Florida Straits support a wide variety of creatures and habitats about which we still know very little.