Peter Vodegel’s Post

Conserving African manatees starts with sharing knowledge. From blending scientific insights with indigenous wisdom to inspiring those far from manatee habitats, every action counts. 🌍 Mongabay ‘s insightful article beautifully captures what African manatees are, painting a vivid picture of their appearance, habitat, and the challenges they face. Though they are elusive in the wild, this read brings them to life. Dive into the full story by clicking the link below.

Mangrove forests are not only fascinating ecosystems, but a vital mitigator of storm surge and flooding. They slow down water movement, catch sediment and reduce flood peaks. Protecting places like these inherently also protects the people living nearby through mitigating against the effects of potentially devastating weather events, of which we will continue to see more.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to have conducted this study at ReefoDivers as part of my research internship at the Marine Animal Ecology (MAE) chair group of Wageningen University & Research. I would like to thank my supervisors, Guido Paap and Ronald Osinga for their theoretical and practical support, and for making the collaboration an enjoyable experience. A special thanks to Guido and the reef rangers for being my dive buddies and for including me in the team; you ensured this was a valuable and educational experience, both in terms of research and on a social and personal level. The study I conducted aimed to find the optimal depth to guarantee the highest productivity of Acropora sp., Millepora cf. tenera, and Pocillopora cf. verrucosa in a nursery environment at the coast in front of Diani Beach, Southern Kenya. This was achieved by investigating the depth with the most favorable balance between growth and survival, leading to the highest productivity of the species. The specific growth rate of Pocillopora cf. verrucosa was the only one affected by depth, showing reduced growth at four meters below mean lower low water (MLLW). The productivity of Acropora sp. and Millepora cf. tenera was not affected by depth. In contrast, Pocillopora cf. verrucosa exhibited a depth effect, with fragments at four meters below MLLW showing lower productivity compared to those in the range of five to eight meters below MLLW. Overall, it was recommended to grow only Millepora cf. tenera at four meters below MLLW, while all three species can be grown in the range of five to eight meters. 🪸 https://lnkd.in/enaQmYYD

📖 #TerminologyCampaign: 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑖 🦇 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑖  (Kühl, 1817), is a medium-sized marvel spanning from Portugal to the Caucasus, recently sighted in Poland. With a wingspan of 24 to 30 centimeters, its distinctive brown or gray fur and bent wings make it a standout in the wild. This bat is commonly known as Schreiber's Bent-winged Bat, the Common Bentwing Bat, or Schreiber's Long-fingered Bat. To avoid confusion, it's better to use the Latin name, even though all these common names are technically correct. Crucial to the #OneBAT project, its long-distance migrations connect populations across its geographical range, mixing genes and microbes. This species is generally cave-dwelling. However, some populations have been recently described in urban environments, possibly due to the reduction of suitable natural habitats. With encroaching urbanization, understanding its needs, its behaviour and its microbiome is vital for a safe coexistence. 🤝 Join us in exploring the fascinating world of Miniopterus schreibersii and its role in our ecosystem. ℹ Visit our website for more information: onebat.eu #OneBAT | #EUHorizon | #TerminologyCampaign | #MiniopterusSchreibersii | #Bats | #Wildlife | #UrbanEcology

Fascinating fact about Acropora corals is their remarkable growth rate. Under optimal conditions, Acropora colonies can grow at rates of up to 10 centimeters (4 inches) per year, making them one of the fastest-growing corals. This rapid growth plays a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of coral reefs.

Acropora prolifera… ↓ Renowned as the fused staghorn coral, this particular coral species thrives within the depths of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It's a distinguished member of the esteemed Acroporidae family and the Acropora genus, renowned for its pivotal role in shaping reef ecosystems worldwide. What sets Acropora prolifera apart is its unique status as a hybrid species, born from the intricate interbreeding of two closely related coral counterparts: the Acropora cervicornis, known as the staghorn coral, and the Acropora palmata, recognized as the elkhorn coral. These foundational species are integral to the Caribbean coral reefs, contributing significantly to their formation and structural integrity. With characteristics reminiscent of both parent species, Acropora prolifera boasts distinctive branching structures and a notably rapid growth rate compared to its coral counterparts. This hybridization potentially grants it an edge in resilience against environmental stressors, although ongoing research endeavors aim to fully comprehend its implications. 📸 Jackson Harris for Coral Restoration Foundation #generationrestoration #wildlife #reefhealth #raisethereef #impact #HomeIsWhereTheCoralIs #oceanrescue #rescueandrehabilitation #marineconservation

Conference Speaker Preview 🌳 Julian Forbes-Laird has been an arboricultural consultant since 2000, having previously worked for 10 years as a climbing arborist. He will be giving his talk on 'Trees and decay fungi: A new approach' Tuesday 10th September at our conference. Julian will explain the nature and role of the two types of lignin in furthering the diagnosis and prognosis of wood decay in trees, with reference to the moisture relations of relevant fungi. The presentation will describe how the type of lignin is related to tree type (angiosperm or gymnosperm); the nature of the supporting wood (tension or compression); the hydrodynamic structure of the tree (Stages I–IV); and the resulting resistance and susceptibility of the tree to decay of different types. Existing, but little-known, information has been collated from different sources and used to construct a new framework for understanding and managing decayed trees: Substrate Moisture Classification. The SMC framework is likely to be particularly helpful in cases where the pathogen species is unknown, whilst also serving as a guide to further understanding of host/agent interactions, and thus the management decision. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eQMFvDjY 

𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙖 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢 is a species of seagrass in the 𝘏𝘺𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘦 family. It is native to the Indian Ocean that spread into the Mediterranean after the opening of the Suez Canal. This seagrass is widespread throughout the Gulf of Aqaba. Recently it has arrived in the Caribbean where it is also spreading. Plant blades are elliptic, oblong and pale to dark green in color with a length of 2-6 cm. Pairs of blades extend from each rhizome node on petioles and are covered at the base by folded and elliptic leaf scales 2-10 mm wide and 6-18 mm long. Plant features are conservative between the native and invaded ocean basins, whereas blade and rhizome characteristics vary by depth. 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢 is a marine angiosperm, native to the tropical and subtropical waters of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Its environmental impacts include a reduction in native biodiversity and modification of successional patterns. It is included on a list of 100 of the worst alien species in Europe. Edit Courtesy 📷 | Dinusha Lakmal Ekanayaka Post Content ℹ | G. S. A. Kumarihamy

Sandworms dominate the 'Dune' landscape, but within the confines of our coral nursery, we encounter an equally compelling creature, the fire worm (Hermodice carunculata). Though smaller in stature, the impact and ecological significance of these corallivores are profound. Fire worms engage in a unique feeding mechanism, employing their engorged pharynx to envelop the tips of branching corals, such as staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis). This process results in the removal of tissue directly from the coral skeleton, leaving distinct white tips on the branches of coral. Fireworm predation emphasizes the critical and ongoing need for vigilance in our coral restoration projects. Monitoring and managing the impact of these corallivores are essential to ensure the health and growth of our restored reefs. We have interns who are focused on the development of a baited trapping system that will allow for safe relocation of the fire worms. As we continue our efforts to revive and protect coral habitats, understanding and adapting to these natural processes are key. Have you ever encountered a fire worm? Let us know your experience in the comments! Video: Jackson Harris for Coral Restoration Foundation #CoralRestoration #MarineConservation #Dune #Sandworms #Biodiversity #UnderwaterWorld #OceanProtection #ReefLife #MarineBiology

Do marine fish spawn in estuaries? No - most marine fish spawn in the ocean and their little juveniles move into the estuaries which serve as safe nurseries in which the little fish can grow. In fact, over 70 species of marine fish depend on estuaries for a part of their life cycle. Estuaries are fascinating places - learn more about them in this fact sheet produced by SAAMBR - The South African Association for Marine Biological Research #WorldWaterDay #edtuaries #ocean Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation