Coral reef research in Indonesia
University, Wales, United Kingdom
Aim
To achieve my dream of doing important research on changing coral reefs in Indonesia for my dissertation at Bangor University.
Hello!
My name is Jessie McGregor and I am a second year Zoology / Marine Zoology student at Bangor University. I need your help to get me to Indonesia so that I can research the effects of climate change on coral reefs for my dissertation project. More importantly I want to spread awareness on the importance of protecting this unique and beautiful ecosystem.
I have chosen to study the effects of our changing climate on coral reef for my dissertation so that I can better understand the impacts we are having on these ecosystems. Through this I hope to both raise awareness of what is happening to our reefs and to learn the methods we need to improve the way we protect them. I will undertake my disseration research this summer in Sulawesi, Indonesia with the company Operation Wallacea. The money raised will go towards the travel costs, dive equipment and sampling equipment, along with help of Operation Wallacea and their group of scientists and field assistants to aid with my project. I will be spending 6 weeks on a small island called Hoga, located just off Sulawesi. Around this pristine and remote island is a designated Marine Park – the Wakatobi National Park, which is where I will be doing my research.
This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I am very grateful for any help you can give me.
Coral reefs
Climate change is leading to bleaching and the degradation of coral reefs around the globe. In the Wakatobi National park in Indonesia, coral is giving way to a more sponge dominated reef due to the changing environment. While there has been a considerable amount of research on the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on corals, we have a much poorer understanding of how other non-coral organisms might be affected. My objective is to focus on one or a few species that rely on coral and to test how they have adapted to the drop in coral coverage.
In addition to crowdfunding, I am also raising money and awareness by running bake sales throughout the year as well as other fundraising activities!
Please help to fund this important research into coral reefs in Indonesia and help me achieve my dream of working in this area. Thank you for your support!
This project successfully funded on 25th March 2017