By Kassandra Sevila, Florida State University
My research in Bonaire focuses on the abundance and distribution of juvenile corals. Juvenile corals are important because they represent the next generation of the reef. Their ability to settle and survive can help us better understand a reef’s potential to recover. Through our research, we examined how juvenile coral abundance varied across different sites and depths along Bonaire’s coastline.
An interesting pattern we have observed is that there are a lot of juvenile corals at sites located near town. At first, seeing many juvenile corals at these sites might seem like a positive sign. However, this pattern may also exist because much of the adult coral at these locations has died, leaving more open space for juvenile corals to settle. This shows us that there are many different factors that can affect juvenile coral settlement and their potential to grow. A large number of juvenile corals does not necessarily mean that a reef is healthy.
This is also why benthic cover is such an important part of our research. Benthic cover allows us to estimate what is actually covering the reef at each site and depth. For example, one location may have a lot of dead coral or turf where juvenile corals can settle, while another may be mostly sand or have algae, adult corals, and other organisms competing for space. Looking at benthic cover gives us more context and helps us better understand why juvenile corals may be more abundant in certain areas than others.
The impact of this research goes beyond just this project and can affect the entire island of Bonaire. These reefs support an incredible amount of marine life, including parrotfish, eels, sharks, and so many other species. They also protect coastlines and contribute heavily to tourism, especially because Bonaire is known around the world for its scuba diving. The reefs are basically one of Bonaire’s biggest “tourist attractions,” so keeping them healthy is important not only for the environment, but also for the local community and economy. Our goal is to do our part in supporting coral recovery and provide information that may be useful to marine researchers and conservation organizations, such as STINAPA. Sharing this experience also gives me the opportunity to make this information easier to understand for people who may not have a background in marine science and hopefully inspire them to care more about coral reef conservation.
Before traveling to Bonaire, most of what I knew about Caribbean coral reefs came from textbooks, scientific articles, and data collected by other researchers. Conducting fieldwork allowed me to participate directly in the scientific process and actually see what that research looks like underwater. It gave me a much better understanding of how much time, effort, teamwork, and attention to detail goes into collecting the data.
Once I return to campus, I am excited to continue working toward my bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Science and Psychology. I look forward to staying involved in research and exploring more volunteer opportunities with sustainability and environmental organizations on campus. I also plan to continue developing my scientific diving skills and helping with future marine research projects whenever possible.
Working alongside graduate students, professors, and scientific divers in Bonaire introduced me to many different career paths that I could see myself pursuing in the future. Beyond FSU, I am interested in graduate school, research internships, and careers related to marine conservation. I would especially like to continue participating in field research that involves scientific diving. This experience has confirmed that I am headed toward the right career path for me.
HSF House Blogs 