Posted: 5-15-2008
Don Behringer receives "Protect Our Reefs" grants for two research projects
Don Behringer, a research assistant professor in the fisheries and aquatic sciences department, will receive funding from Florida’s “Protect Our Reefs” specialty license plate for two projects focused on reef ecosystems.
They were among 16 grants totaling almost a half-million dollars announced by Mote Marine Laboratory in April. The Sarasota-based lab administers funds raised by the colorful coral reef-themed license tags, which are available as an alternative to the standard state plate.
Behringer is principal investigator for both projects.
One, funded for almost $14,000 per year for two years, will investigate the role that spiny spotted lobsters may have in depressing the recovery of long-spined sea urchins, an important coral reef dweller decimated by a blight in the 1980s. The urchins consume fast-growing algae that threaten to take over coral reefs if left unchecked. Co-investigators are Mark Butler and Meredith Kintzing of Old Dominion University.
The other, funded for more than $38,000 per year for two years, will determine the impacts of human activities, such as diving and fishing, on coral reefs. One specific target of the research is boat anchors, considered a significant threat to coral because they can damage the fragile organisms. Co-investigators are Thomas Frazer and Robert Swett of the fisheries and aquatic sciences department and Russell Watkins of Florida Sea Grant.
This marks the third year grants have been awarded by the program, which funds research, education and conservation focused on Florida’s coral reefs.
“One great thing about this program is that it’s a way citizens can directly contribute to coral reef protection by contributing to reef research,” Behringer said.
Learn more about the “Protect Our Reefs” specialty tag here
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