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6 Feb 2007 12:51:42
A scuba-diving University Professor has set up an international research project to save coral reef colonies in Mauritius.
Professor James Crabbe, Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science (CATS), at the University of Bedfordshire, is planning a joint research project with the Mauritius Oceanography Department, after giving a talk at its research centre.
Professor Crabbe and the oceanography department will study the effects of climate and anthropogenic changes on the growth, physiology and biodiversity of coral reef on the Southern African island.
They will use a Video Ray Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), which makes very precise coral growth measurements by image analysis. Professor Crabbe invested in the underwater robot with the £6,000 prize he won from the AVIVA/Earthwatch Award for Climate Change Research in October.
Professor Crabbe is a top biologist who became fascinated by the effects of climate change on coral reef after getting into scuba diving on holiday six years ago. He went onto develop a new technique to show the effects of climatic change on the DNA of corals.
He explained: “In Mauritius we will be looking at the decline in coral cover and biodiversity, and through DNA analysis, examine the effects global climate change has on the coral reef ecosystems.
“I have found the new ROV equipment has allowed me to make measurements in much deeper water than regular diving will allow and progress my research in otherwise difficult or impossible locations."
Professor Crabbe is also working on two Earthwatch projects studying Jamaica’s coral reefs and a new conservation research initiative in Belize.
To find out more about Professor Crabbe’s research visit www.beds.ac.uk/departments/cats/james-crabbe
Latest news» 2007» Feb» Scuba-diving Professor aims to save marine life in Mauritius
