|
|
| | 1. A blackbacked butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) feeds on soft corals in the along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia in an area known as the Farasan Banks. An international team of scientists, including WHOI biologist Simon Thorrold, conducted a rapid, ecological survey of corals and coral reef fishes earlier this year as part of WHOI's cooperative research program with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) | | 2. This Red Sea coral reef, located west of Saudi Arabia, is being monitored as part of a collaborative project with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Using the data from sensors, and modeling, researchers hope to better understand the mechanisms of water and heat exchange across the boundary of this reef, and similar reefs in the area. Because these reefs have shallow tops, about one meter deep, they tend to become warmer during the day and cooler at the night than the surrounding water. Using the data collected thus far, researchers have found that the water exchange across the reef boundary is generally quite rapid, typically flushing the reef top in about an hour, and is likely driven by a combination of wind and wave driven flows. (Photo by Jim Churchill, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) | | 3. WHOI biologist Simon Thorrold snapped this image of a peacock grouper (Cephalopholus argus) while working in Saudi Arabia in June 2009. Thorrold and an international team conducted a rapid, ecological survey of corals and coral reef fishes earlier this year in the Farasan Banks as part of WHOI's cooperative research program with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) | | 4. A school of colorful, bluegreen chromis (Chromis viridis) seek shelter in a coral colony in the Farasan Banks. An international team of scientists, including WHOI biologist Simon Thorrold, conducted a rapid, ecological survey of corals and coral reef fishes earlier this year as part of WHOI's cooperative research program with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) | | 5. A pair of Red Sea anemonefish (Amphiprion bicinctus) take shelter in a pumpkin-colored sea anemone. An international team of scientists conducted a rapid, ecological survey of corals and coral reef fishes earlier this year in the Farasan Banks as part of WHOI's cooperative research program with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). (Photo by Simon Thorrold, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) | Last updated: March 11, 2010 |
