Great Southern Reef Foundation’s Post

Update 2.0: Fish ID Validator - Caribbean Region Have you heard of Observation.org? Spotted something amazing underwater? That bright blue fish you don’t know the name, or a shark, or maybe even a manta ray? 😏 Share your sighting on Observation.org and explore what others have discovered, and where. It’s a citizen science platform where everyone can help build a better picture of our (Marine and terrestrial) biodiversity. My role? To validate your sighting! If it swims, I’ll review it and make sure you’ve identified the species correctly. 🔍👀 See you there! #CitizenScience

👋 Hi, esteemed LinkedIn connections, It's time to unveil my latest scientific illustration, this time featuring the majestic 𝑅ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑢𝑠, commonly known as the Whale Shark. 🦈 🌊 Dive into the World of the Whale Shark: 𝑅ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑢𝑠, the largest fish in the ocean, is a symbol of grace and magnificence in marine ecosystems. With its distinctive spotted pattern and immense size, this gentle giant roams the tropical waters, embodying the awe-inspiring beauty of the underwater realm. 🌟 Enigmatic Ecology: Beyond its striking appearance, the Whale Shark plays a pivotal role in marine ecology as a filter feeder. Their diet primarily consists of plankton and small fish, making them vital contributors to the balance of oceanic food webs. Additionally, their migratory patterns across vast distances emphasize their significance in connecting diverse marine habitats. 🌎 Guardians of Oceanic Diversity: As ambassadors of ocean conservation, understanding the behavior and habitat preferences of 𝑅ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑢𝑠 is crucial for safeguarding their populations and the health of marine ecosystems worldwide. By shedding light on the ecological importance of these magnificent creatures, we reinforce the urgency of protecting our oceans for future generations. Let's continue to explore and celebrate the wonders of marine biodiversity together! Share your thoughts and experiences with the Whale Shark or any related topics. 🌊✨ #ScientificIllustration #WhaleShark #MarineEcology #OceanConservation #ArtAndScience #BiodiversityCelebration

Been having a lot of fun making these explainers! Research communications is becoming a bigger part of my skill set as I dive deeper into marine ecosystems and the role kelp forests play in our oceans. Spoiler: a pretty big one! If you're interested in learning more about our oceans and the many ecosystem benefits giant kelp forests provide - from fun facts to bio-based product development - give Kelp Forest Foundation a follow! #Research #MarineScience #Kelp

🌿 New study discovers never-before-seen species in the Great African Seaforest! Here's why we're excited about it: 🧬 Using the novel approach of eDNA Metabarcoding, a recent team of scientists explored South Africa’s kelp forests, detecting 880 species, including a few never before discovered. 🧬 At the Kelp Forest Foundation, we recently funded a study led by Dr. Narissa Bax. Dr. Bax collected eDNA water samples from the kelp forests in the Falkland Islands, one of the world’s most pristine and untouched kelp forests, without disturbing animals within the ecosystem. 🧬 Dive deeper into the study, and our work at the Falkland Islands with Narissa Bax and NatureMetrics below. Study: Detecting kelp-forest-associated metazoan biodiversity with eDNA metabarcoding. February, 2024. Emma I. Rossouw, Jannes Landschoff, Andrew Ndhlovu, Götz Neef, Masaki Miya, Kira-Lee Courtaillac, Rouane Brokensha & Sophie von der Heyden Help us in our mission to support kelp forests, the home to thousands of species in our marine ecosystems worldwide, through funding groundbreaking research: https://lnkd.in/ez5nRaNW #MarineBiodiversity #eDNA #BlueCarbon #UnlockingThePowerOfKelp #Kelp #Restoration

How eDNA led us to discover an ancient species never before recorded in South African kelp forests Our collaboration with the Kelp Forest Foundation sets a new standard for understanding what a pristine, healthy kelp forest should look like. Working closely with their team, our eDNA technology produced a comprehensive baseline including 880 species. One of which was a Placozoa species previously undiscovered in South African kelp forests. Our water sampling kits are easy to use and completely non-invasive, making sampling in the remote Falkland Islands' kelp forests possible while the animals within the ecosystem remain undisturbed. Want to see how eDNA can help you manage your coastline and protect these vital ecosystems? Download our free Coastal Ecosystem Management Guide to learn actionable strategies: ➡ How eDNA establishes comprehensive biodiversity baselines to inform planning ➡ Real-world case studies demonstrating eDNA impact across vital habitats ➡ Actionable frameworks for tracking restoration outcomes over time for adaptive management ➡ Models for participatory monitoring to engage local communities ➡ https://lnkd.in/egnkuUyh

It's always amazing to see the outcome of the samples we ran in the lab, especially when you can find new and unexpected results! Such a great project. For a video version, see the link below. #eDNA #Kelp #MarineBiodiversity #Science

In Half-Earth, E.O. Wilson proposed, “Only by committing half of the planet’s surface to nature can we hope to save the immensity of life-forms that compose it.” With Half-Earth, E.O. Wilson’s intention was to create a “moonshot” goal, a human endeavor that ensured we would leave no species behind. This is not just important conceptually, it’s important inspirationally and scientifically. The size of a habitat and the number of species it can sustainably support are related by the 4th root. E.O. Wilson and a colleague, Robert MacArthur, an ecologist and mathematician at Princeton University, developed the formula for the Half-Earth calculations, which demonstrated that we can protect approximately 85% of species from extinction if we effectively preserve 50% of habitats. In order to support these conservation decisions, access to accurate species data is critical. The Half-Earth Project is mapping the geospatial location of all Earth’s species at a high resolution in order to transform our understanding of the world and inform which places offer the most effective path forward for the protection of endangered species and endangered ecosystems. Based on the current extinction rate, half of all species could be gone by the end of the century. Only by coming together around a transcendent goal to protect nature can we stop and reverse the loss of species.

In the hidden wetlands of the Southeast, finding Spotted Turtles can feel like chasing ghosts. In this month's Science of Scales, Houston discusses our recent publication that dives into the mystery surrounding these elusive turtles. Across multiple years and numerous survey sites, we ventured into vast swamps where sightings were scarce and the search was often daunting. Despite the challenges, our research sheds light on Spotted Turtle habitats and offers essential insights for their conservation in these fragmented southeastern ecosystems. Read more about the Ghosts of the Swamp: https://lnkd.in/eF9Zfx4V Science of Scales is a monthly blog written by our Director of Science, Houston Chandler. The blog is written for a general audience and features articles on a variety of topics, including the latest in herpetofaunal conservation research, highlights of The Orianne Society’s ongoing projects, and discussions of important ecosystems and species. #OrianneSociety #science #turtle #spottedturtle #clemmysguttata #turtleconservation #wildlifeconservation

New Scientific Article 🚨 🦈 We analysed the overlap of Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) with #MarineProtectedAreas in the Central and South American Pacific. Key findings include: -           Only 7 % of identified critical shark habitat overlaps with no-take zones -           Almost half of MPAs do not have management plans and are ‘paper parks’ Grateful to be involved in a large collaborative effort off the back of the first ISRA workshop. The recommendations within this article, published in Marine Policy, will hopefully be used to inform on spatial management to include sharks, rays, and chimaeras. This can help nations meet broader biodiversity protection commitments e.g., #30x30. We bring attention to the Important Shark and Ray Areas delineated in the high seas, and how they are often overlooked and are generally some of the least protected on Earth. Thank you to everyone involved. How much critical shark habitat in the Central and South American Pacific currently benefits from area based management? Find the answer in the link below. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/egm4unW8 Mouton TL, Gonzalez-Pestana A, Rohner CA, Charles R, García-Rodríguez E, Kyne PM, Batlle-Morera A, di Sciara GN, Armstrong AO, et al. 2024. Shortfalls in the protection of Important Shark and Ray Areas undermine shark conservation efforts in the Central and South American Pacific. Marine Policy. 171: 106448. https://lnkd.in/egm4unW8   IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) IUCN IUCN Species Survival Commission #sharkscience #conservation #newpaper  #newresearch #science #rewild #sharkconservationfund

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮! 🐟 Tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, vibrant Spanish dancers, curious crabs, and countless colourful fish have made a guest appearance in our footage from the spectacular Exmouth Gulf! 🎥 Our team at DBCA, alongside researchers from the University of WA, deployed 325 Baited Remote Underwater stereo-Video (BRUV) systems across diverse habitats—hard reefs, seagrass beds, sandy areas, and sponge gardens—to attract marine life, allowing us to identify, count, and measure each species. This research is essential for understanding the distribution and abundance of marine species, helping inform future conservation planning and management, including the proposed Exmouth Gulf Marine Park. Stay tuned for the results. We can’t wait to see what BRUVs reveals about the incredible marine biodiversity in our backyard! 🦈🐠