Today we discussed ways to protect and conserve reefs through the use of native predators as “biocontrol.” One example we mentioned were the groupers, which have been known to prey on invasive species such as lionfish. The only problem is that groupers are often overhunted; which means that they cannot significantly keep (and maybe even extirpate) lionfish populations in check because there may not be enough groupers to do the hunting.
The other article addresses other factors affecting the reef. An example would be the parrotfish feeding off of coral polyps. It’s additional factors such as these which might encourage us to tend to the other factors such as pollution. Then it would be one less worry for the reefs which already have their own natural problems to deal with. In other words, human-caused factors on the reef should be fixed. The reefs already has it’s own problems and our negative impact only make it more difficult for them to cope with.
We also competed in groups to see who could come up with the best way to introduce and protect an endangered species of coral. These group dynamics will serve us well in the BVI. I feel that, although we are moving at a fast pace, our teamwork allows us to pull through. We are learning more about the protection of ecosystems each day and this gives me hope and confidence in educating others about this subject outside of class.
