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What's 'Fueling' Lake Okeechobee Discharges?
New research from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute revealed that combatting harmful algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee requires managing both phosphorus and nitrogen (not phosphorus alone), and that human waste played a role in influencing these Microcystis blooms. Findings also underscore the importance of rainfall and extreme rainfall events in driving these big blooms. The findings arose from the first comprehensive sampling across the Lake Okeechobee Waterway in South Florida.
Read more.
Photo credit: Brian Cousin
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Coral Restoration in the Florida Keys
A recent study from FAU Harbor Branch found that deeper corals may help shallow reefs recover in the Florida Keys. Published in the journal Heredity and featured on the cover, the study investigated how blushing star coral populations at different depths and locations may be related or “connected” to each other. The findings showed that mesophotic corals, which have mostly avoided the damage caused by bleaching and stony coral tissue loss disease seen in their shallower, near-shore relatives, are key reproductive sources for coral restoration efforts, especially for the Lower and Upper Keys.
Read more.
Photo Credit: Ryan Eckert. This research was supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration and Research awarded to Joshua Voss, Ph.D. (NA14OAR4320260) through the Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology, and by the NOAA National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NA18NOS4780166) awarded to Voss and S. Herrera through the Connectivity of Coral Ecosystems in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico project.
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Hunting for Sponge Treasure
Priscilla Winder, Ph.D., research associate and a member of the Marine Biomedical and Biotechnology team, shared her experience on a recent NOAA Ocean Exploration research expedition to deepwater habitats off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Winder described one of the "most wanted" sponge species the team searched for during the expedition. Read more to find out why scientists were combing the deep for this particular orange invertebrate.
Read more.
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Podcast: Sargassum, Coral Reefs and Water Quality
Brian Lapointe, Ph.D., research professor, recently spoke on the Weather Geeks podcast. During the episode, Lapointe discussed eutrophication and water quality, regulation and management for coastal protection, potential effects of warming water temperatures on the proliferation of Sargassum, and more.
Listen to the full episode.
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Using AI for Conservation
FAU Harbor Branch's Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., associate research professor and principal investigator of the Fisheries Ecology and Conservation Lab, is part of a cross-disciplinary collaboration working to develop cutting-edge tools to cost-effectively identify and track wildlife, specifically manatees, using artificial intelligence. The project is led by FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science and funded by a $1.3 million grant from U.S. National Science Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
Read more.
Photo credit: Sarah Milton, Ph.D.
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Fin of the Month: Chewbacca (CHWY)
Meet “CHWY”, also known as Chewbacca, who was first identified by the FAU Harbor Branch Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team (MMSPA) in January 2021. CHWY is often seen with another dolphin named Wolf.
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Can you spot the similarities between these photos? The image on the right was submitted by a former FAU Harbor Branch intern. Her land-based photo of Chewbacca was taken at Riverview Park in Sebastian and was successfully matched to the MMSPA team's photo-identification catalog (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01), pictured on the left. The MMSPA team uses the unique markings on dorsal fins to identify individual dolphins, much like how people are identified using fingerprints. These sightings help the MMSPA team better understand movement patterns of bottlenose dolphins throughout the Indian River Lagoon.
Registered Dolphin Spotter Citizen Scientists can view all 453 public-reported sightings on the mobile app WatchSpotter. Becoming a citizen scientist is a great way to support Harbor Branch's ongoing marine mammal research.
Register today.
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Becoming a citizen scientist with FAU Harbor Branch is easy. Capture photos of dolphins while you're standing on the shore, then visit our website to get started.
The photo on the left was taken by the FAU HBOI MMSPA program (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01). All citizen scientist land-based photos have been submitted through the FAU Harbor Branch Dolphin Spotter project in accordance with the program’s guidelines and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
If you see dolphins while out on the water, please remember to stay 50 yards away. If you see a marine mammal in distress, please call the FWC hotline (888) 404-3922.
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Junior Scientists
This month, FAU Harbor Branch welcomed 18 Indian River County high school students to the Junior Scientist Fellows Program, an educational partnership with the Indian River Land Trust. Over the coming months, these fellows will work with scientists, educators and resource managers to conduct critical research at the Coastal Oaks Preserve, with a goal of conserving local environments for generations to come.
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New Scholarship Opportunity
The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science has announced two new scholarship opportunities.
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The WLW-ECOS Semester by the Sea Scholarship provides financial support to students who participate in this unique, one-semester program offered by FAU Harbor Branch and the Department of Biological Sciences.
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The WLW-ECOS Student Success Scholarship was established to provide scholarships to College of Science undergraduate students in their junior and senior year with financial need.
Learn more.
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WLRN's Bright Lit Place Live at Florida Atlantic: Everglades Restoration
Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.
Florida Atlantic University Theater
777 Glades Road Boca Raton, FL 33431
Join award-winning WLRN environment reporter Jenny Staletovich and experts, for a discussion about the future of Florida’s iconic "River of Grass" known as the Everglades, with panelists from Florida Atlantic and the National Parks Conservation Association. A light bite reception to follow and continued conversation with the panelist. This event is free to the community, register to reserve your spot.
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Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch's outreach team travels to events throughout Florida with hands-on marine science educational exhibits and activities. In addition, FAU Harbor Branch scientists share their expertise through public lectures and workshops. | |
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Estuaries Day
Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
Stuart
Speakers Bureau Lecture
Seagrasses and Seaweeds in the Indian River Lagoon (and Beyond)
Rachel Brewton, Ph.D.
Tuesday, Oct. 1, Noon
The Ted Moorhead Lagoon House Marine Resources Council, Palm Bay
Virtual Available
Registration required.
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Indian River Lagoon Festival
Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park
Fort Pierce
Speakers Bureau Lecture
An Overview of the FAU Harbor Branch Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment Program
Steve Burton
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 10 to 11 a.m.
IRSC Fielden Institute for Lifelong Learning, Fort Pierce Campus
Registration required.
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Florida Atlantic Giving Day
Florida Atlantic University celebrated its second annual Giving Day on Sept. 19. Giving Day is a University-wide fundraising and community-building event where people can donate directly to specific colleges and programs. This year, FAU Harbor Branch exceeded its fundraising goal. Thanks to faculty, staff, students and the greater community, the Institute received 59 donations in 24 hours, raising $6,388 to support critical research and conservation efforts for coral reefs, sharks and rays, as well as two educational programs: the Ocean Discovery Experience and Semester by the Sea.
Watch the thank you video to hear more about the funded programs.
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Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Website
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