Benthic Surveys + Seagrass cores collection! May 21

 We've been spending a lot of time working in seagrass meadows and reef systems conducting benthic surveys and ecological sampling! 

It's been super fun seeing all the different cayos and their different surrounding marine habitats, especially how they all connect together for the local species. I especially like the patch reef, since it's a complicated habitat structure and takes a bit more skill to find the hidden invertebrates.We surveyed them using the quadrats we built as well as transect tape to quantify the benthic coverage of coral, algae, and everything else we could find out to 30 meters from the starting point!

Holding our breath and diving down with all our gear was a little difficult, but we were able to take photos with our underwater camera for later analysis of what we observed. 

Also, using a clipboard and pencil underwater feels a bit odd, but you get used to it with waterproof paper!

We also conducted seagrass core sampling in Thalassia, Halophila, and Syringodium beds, hammering in a PVC pipe to collect the rhizomes in the sediment as well as the above and below ground blades. Halophila in particular was important to document as it is an invasive species in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region, it can grow faster and outcompete the native Turtle and Manatee seagrass.  It was also important to collect the epiphytes growing on the blades, so we are able to analyze the weight of the algae that is slowing and preventing the growth of the seagrass.

Our time underwater has been a ton of different activities, but working together as a team with Jose and the whole group has been so fun it doesn't feel like work!

-Ryan :)