In situ feeding rates of crown-of-thorns starfish and fate of prey corals (Old ID 27494)
Role
Principal Investigator
Description
Accurate measurements of CoTS feeding rates are key in modelling ecological thresholds to inform CoTS management. This project aims to quantify feeding rates of CoTS in the field, to better resolve ecological impacts of CoTS on coral assemblages relative to the size and abundance of CoTS, as well as changes in prey availability and seasonal variation in temperature. This will significantly improve current models that estimate ecological thresholds used to inform surveillance (density of CoTS required to prevent further coral damage) and control (levels of culling required to ensure that coral growth outpaces CoTS feeding) activities in the GBR.
Date
01 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2023
Project Type
GRANT
Keywords
Coral Reefs;Crown-of-thorns starfish;Feeding rates;Coral Mortality;Disturbance;Recovery
Funding Body
Great Barrier Reef Foundation
Amount
280000
Project Team
Ciemon Caballes