HERBIVOROUS FISH & REEF RESILIENCY

RESEARCH MISSION
Why are Caribbean reefs turning green…except in Little Cayman?

Coral reef scientists agree that reef ecosystems around the world are in jeopardy. This is particularly evident through the Caribbean where, instead of coral, many reefs are now dominated by algae. Is this a permanent change? Have Caribbean coral reefs lost their resilience? In other words, have reefs lost the ability to recover and rebound to their original state? Understanding what makes a reef ecosystem resilient is not just about determining the causes of coral death or increased growth of algae but rather about determining the critical components and processes maintaining a reef system. Knowing these, we can target new ways to protect reefs and aid coral recovery.

Little Cayman offers a unique opportunity to investigate these questions. Since 1999, scientists here have observed significant coral decline, yet there is no evidence that Little Cayman reefs are becoming dominated by algae. Moreover, baby corals are still settling onto these reefs. What makes these reefs so different from the rest of the Caribbean? Why has there been no take-over by algae?

In this project we will investigate some of the potentially key players in reef resiliency-herbivorous fish- mostly parrotfish. There is minimal fishing around Little Cayman and fish populations haven’t changed since the 1990’s. We will investigate which parrotfish live on deep and shallow reefs and assess the size of individuals. Parrotfish play very different roles on a reef. Some eat only algae, others bite at coral and others erode the reef structure back to sand. Are there more herbivorous parrotfish on Little Cayman? We will observe parrotfish feeding and calculate whether there are enough of these fish that they alone have prevented Little Cayman reefs from algae dominance. This information is a critical piece of the puzzle to understand how Little Cayman reefs function.

THE RESEARCHER(S)
Dr. Elizabeth Whiteman
Liz Whiteman grew up in the UK where coral reefs and tropical marine research seemed an unlikely path. However, following a degree in Ecology from the University of East Anglia, UK, she completed a Ph.D. in marine evolutionary ecology at the same university. Liz’s doctorate work on reef fish social structures was largely conducted in Barbados. From there, she joined the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies at the University of the Virgin Islands where she conducted research evaluating the effectiveness of marine protected areas for grouper spawning aggregations. Most recently, Liz returned to the UK as a senior research associate at the University of East Anglia. Her research on speciation and biogeography in the brightly coloured reef fish; hamlets, has taken her to Panama, Belize, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Curacao and the Cayman Islands. When not working, Liz would rather be…underwater!

DIVING ACTIVITIES
Each research dive will involve several activities. Specific activities may vary depending on the previous experience of divers. Divers will be shown the methods used to survey focal groups of reef fish to accurately record numbers. We will work on species identification for key species groups (particularly parrotfish), and conduct counts of these important herbivorous fish across numerous reefs. Surveys will also include observations of parrotfish feeding. Avid photographers are also welcome to help with a photographic catalog of reef fish in Little Cayman.