Skomer Marine Conservation Zone ( MCZ ) - Monitoring Ross Coral Pentapora foliacea
dataset
https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=007_4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313031383533
In 2015 Skomer Marine Nature Reserve changed designation to Skomer Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). Skomer Marine Nature Reserve (MNR) was designated in 1990. Colonies of the bryozoan Pentapora foliacea are fragile structures thought to be moderately slow growing, and long lived. They are important microhabitats for mobile species and are regarded as useful indicators of anthropogenic activity such as mobile fishing gear and anchoring. Stereo photographs of colonies have been taken from 1984. Image analysis methods have been tested and currently a morphological class system is used to classify and monitor the colonies. Alongside the basic monitoring various research projects are in progress looking at; the genetics of the species, Anti-microbial zone assays and palaeoclimate using tw
o different techniques: Variation in zooid size and isotopic signature of the carbonate skeleton. The purpose of this data capture was to:
- monitor the numbers and growth rate of Ross coral colonies.
- monitor the amount of damage occurring to the colonies.
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