Post by L Roebuck on Jan 26, 2009 9:07:56 GMT -5
Cave sponges crucial to survival of coral reef
Charles Darwin asked himself the same question: how can coral reefs survive so well in nutrient-poor tropical oceans? Marine biologist Jasper de Goeij conducted research into this and discovered that cave sponges play an important role in the survival of the coral reef. He will be awarded a PhD by the University of Groningen on 30 January 2009.
‘The coral reef is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world’, explains De Goeij. ‘You can compare it to a tropical rainforest. This high production is extraordinary because the tropical ocean is very nutrient poor. That’s why the water is so clear and blue. There’s nothing in it. That’s why coral reefs are also called oases in a desert. It’s still a mystery how coral reefs can survive in such a nutrient-poor environment. This is also called the Darwin Paradox. Darwin was one of the pioneers of coral reef research and was also the first to describe this problem.’ In order to gain more insight into the food cycle, De Goeij studied the role of sponges in coral caves.
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Charles Darwin asked himself the same question: how can coral reefs survive so well in nutrient-poor tropical oceans? Marine biologist Jasper de Goeij conducted research into this and discovered that cave sponges play an important role in the survival of the coral reef. He will be awarded a PhD by the University of Groningen on 30 January 2009.
‘The coral reef is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world’, explains De Goeij. ‘You can compare it to a tropical rainforest. This high production is extraordinary because the tropical ocean is very nutrient poor. That’s why the water is so clear and blue. There’s nothing in it. That’s why coral reefs are also called oases in a desert. It’s still a mystery how coral reefs can survive in such a nutrient-poor environment. This is also called the Darwin Paradox. Darwin was one of the pioneers of coral reef research and was also the first to describe this problem.’ In order to gain more insight into the food cycle, De Goeij studied the role of sponges in coral caves.
Full Article