Early detection of outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (Old ID 23454)
Role
Principal Investigator
Description
Currently, there is an inevitable la in responding to outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, because outbreaks only become apparent when there are large numbers of coral-feeding starfish detected at one or more reefs. The purpose of this project is to develop an effective 'early-warning system' by measuring the number of larval starfish settling to reefs and/or counting the number of very small (<1cm diameter) juvenile starfish with reef habitats, and thereby, ensure control programs and activities are timed to prevent inevitable coral loss caused by high-densities of adult crown-of-thorns starfish.
Date
01 Jul 2017 - 31 Dec 2018
Project Type
GRANT
Keywords
Disturbance;Management;Acanthaster;Great Barrier Reef;Recruitment;Rib Reef
Funding Body
Morris Family Foundation
Amount
100000
Project Team
Jennifer Wilmes;Ciemon Caballes;Vanessa Messmer