2023 Projects
Investigating te abundance of Sea Urchins in correlation with coral reef structure
Kerensa Ballantyne
Investigating the Effects of Structual complexity and coral health on Butterfly fish abundance
Emma Phillips
Investigating the Effect of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Coral Reef Health and
Diversity
Lara Herd
What is your project about?
I’m investigating whether or not the soundscape of an environment can act as a proxy for reef biodiversity. This is important as in recent decades, anthropogenic threats such as overfishing, pollution and global warming have decreased the health of coral reefs. It is therefore necessary to monitor the reefs diversity, however these methods can be time consuming, expensive and invasive. Therefore, if taking a sound recording of the coral reef is a good measure of its biodiversity, this will be a more efficient way to monitor the long-term health of coral reefs in the future.
What is a soundscape?
Each ecosystem is impacted by biological (eg, communicative sounds), geophysical (eg. Wind and rain) and anthropogenic noises (boats, divers), together these make up the soundscape.
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Biological sounds include biotic noise from the marine organisms feeding and communicating
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Geophysical sounds include the abiotic sounds from wind, rain and waves
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Anthropogenic sounds include human produced noises such as boats and divers
Healthy coral reefs are full of natural sounds which help juveniles settle in a healthy environment, therefore the healthier the coral reef the more diverse its soundscape. However, anthropogenic sounds have the ability to alter the soundscape of the reef, thus impacting the ecosystem.
How are you doing it?
We will be measuring the species diversity of fish within the coral reef, by recording individuals along 50m transects. This data will then be compared to sound recordings taken in the same coral reef reached by a kayak so that there is no boat disturbance.
What are you most looking forward to in Thailand?
I’m very excited to scuba dive back in the country I learned in. Last time I was amazed by diversity of corals and fish so I can’t wait to experience this again as well as hear the sounds they produce. I’m also looking forward to the other projects, especially getting up close to massive sea urchins. I can’t wait to get to know the team better and spend time exploring the island with them.
2022 Projects
Investigating the Diversity and Distribution of Amphibian and Reptile Species on Koh Pha Ngan
Jennifer Sibbald
We will be surveying a large variety of habitats from the shore to the central rainforest of Koh Pha Ngan, with the aim of creating a comprehensive list of amphibian species in order to review and update current records wherever possible. Species observed will be compared to the relative level of urbanisation and other anthropogenic disturbances in the areas where they are found.
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A variety of techniques will be used to collect a representative data set of amphibian species on Koh Pha Ngan by targeting arboreal, terrestrial and aquatic species through walking transects, opportunistic sampling, call-recording, PVC pipe traps (see left), DNA sampling, and quadrat sampling. All species will be returned to the exact location they were found.
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If you want to know more about our research specifics, you can request our full prospectus by contacting us directly. We will be updating this page with an interview from the research leader as the expedition grows closer.
Investigating the Impact of Diving and Tourisn on Coral Health, Reef Fish Abundance and Diversity, and Abundance of Corallivore Drupella on Koh Pha Nhan Island
Ashlynn White and Laura Hanninen
We will evaluate coral diversity and health at dive site entrances and compare it to levels of tourism disturbance and, if seen, negative impacts will be measured in relation to their distance from the site entrance. The level of tourism disturbance will also be looked at in relation to the population dynamics of Drupella. Simultaneously, fish diversity and abundance at these sites will be investigated in relation to the health of the reef. We will be sharing our findings with the Centre for Oceanic Research South East Asia (COREsea) who will use our data for long term reef management, if and where necessary.
Using 20 m transect lines, coral diversity and health will be determined through photographs of the benthos taken by divers. Water depth, temperature, pH, GPS coordinates, and tourist activity will be recorded at each site. The divers will also be recording the density of Drupella individuals within quadrats. Using the same transect, fish diversity will be monitored by snorkelers using video camera footage.
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By collaborating with COREsea we will ensure our research sites and logistics are suitable and our methods are sustainable for the area. We hope this collaboration with them and the University of Glasgow Thailand Expedition can be continued for years to come.
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If you want to know more about our research specifics, you can request our full prospectus by contacting us directly. We will be updating this page with an interview from the research leaders as the expedition grows closer.
2021 Projects
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to travel to Thailand this year and will instead be conducting research along Scotland's West Coast.
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We will be researching two primary projects while on the expedition: Lois will be investigating the impacts of seaweed farms on benthic organisms; and Lewis will be looking at the distribution of scallop larvae through the water column. We will also be collecting samples for our seaweed farm partners and other researchers at the University.
2019 Projects
In the first expedition to Thailand from the University of Glasgow, the team will set out to investigate various anthropogenic impacts on the reef communities surrounding Phuket. Three research projects will employ qualitative and quantitative survey methods to investigate the effects of exploitation of these reef communities, including by dive tourism and fishing, on the community composition of these habitats.
Stay tuned for in-depth detail of these projects from lead researchers, Melanie, Shion and Fraser
Investigating Sedimentation Levels and Coral Community Composition
Shion Reynell
What is the significance of this research question?
Thailand is considered to be one of the most desirable dive destinations in the
world with crystal clear waters and an extremely high diversity of marine life.
In Phuket alone, there are over 85 dive centres with an estimated 100,000 divers
visiting per year. With the dive tourism industry booming, Phuket island is
becoming further developed with many coastlines becoming construction sites
for tourist destinations such as hotels, beach clubs and shopping complexes.
From the conception of the Thailand Expedition, Melanie and I have always agreed
that it would be really interesting to conduct research projects on the impacts of
dive tourism on the reef communities around Phuket. While the increase in
popularity of dive tourism has had profound effects on the economy of Thailand,
it has also had great ecological consequences on the surrounding reef communities.
The increase in coastal activity as well as the number of divers to the dive sites
surrounding Phuket, has had observable effects on the coral reefs.
One aspect that I will be researching while out in Phuket is the increase in sedimentation levels and the consequences on coral community composition in the reefs surrounding Phuket. While physical contact by divers and boats can damage the fragile skeletons of corals, sedimentation is said to be one of the highest pressures on coastal coral reef health. Sedimentation can arise from erosion of coastal land, which can occur during construction, as well as in run-off from rivers and streams into the sea. Coupled with increased anthropogenic activity in the water which stirs up sediment, coral cover can be severely affected. Increased sediment results in decreased water clarity and, therefore, decreased light penetration which is crucial for the symbiotic zooxanthellae. Sediments can also coat the coral’s surfaces requiring increased energy use in the maintenance of clean surfaces. Sediments may also contain nutrients and other chemicals affecting other factors in these habitats such as pH and nutrient balance.
Why coral?
I first noticed and truly appreciated coral in Belize in 2016 when I was conducting coral health surveys as part of a marine conservation programme. As part of the programme I was required to undertake dive surveys of the coral reefs in Belize, which form a part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, and it’s safe to say that coral has been the apple of my eye ever since. Continuing my studies of Marine and Freshwater Biology at Glasgow University has only furthered my desire to conduct research in tropical marine habitats and being lucky enough to be selected as part of the Egypt Expedition team in 2018 only whetted my appetite for research on coral reefs even more. Coral reef research is extremely topical at the moment with seemingly increasing numbers of people being interested in the conservation of these habitats. Upon deciding to co-lead the expedition to Thailand with Melanie, doing a project on coral seemed like a natural choice.
How are you going to be researching this?
Research for Fraser’s project and my project will be undertaken in a buddy team, with one other diver for safety. We will head to various dive sites around Phuket and set sediment traps which will be left for two weeks at a time. I will use a belt transect survey method to take photographs of the coral reef at 1 metre intervals along a 20 metre transect line. These photographs that I take will be analysed using a software called Coral Point Count (CPCe), which will allow me to measure the percentage cover of each species of coral, as well as the overall cover of the coral on the reef at each dive site. Paired with the sedimentation measurements, where the amount of sediment from each sediment trap is dried and weighed, any significant links between sediment levels and coral cover can be investigated. Fraser and I will also be collecting information on the numbers of divers that visit each site per year. It will be interesting to see if there is any connection between the number of divers and the level of sedimentation that the dive sites experience around the Island.
What are you looking forward to most about Thailand?
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Going on the Egypt expedition last year has given me a really great insight into marine research methods as well as the ins and outs of running an expedition. Having assisted honours project research on freckled hawkfish behaviour, red sea anemonefish behaviour and other projects such the camera drop project, I can’t wait to get stuck into leading a research project myself. Thailand will be really great as I will get to experience lots of new aquatic species that I’ve never come across before, at the same time as giving me lots of scientific diving experience. With a great team behind me, I’m confident that the research project will come out really well. I also look forward to experiencing the culture in a corner of the world that I've never visited before, eating lots and lots of Pad Thai and other culinary delights and finally developing some colour that I've lost since going back to Glasgow.
Dive Intensity and Fish communities in the Reef Habitats off Phuket
Fraser Carter
Coral reef ecosystems provide many goods and services to the people that live close to them and attract people worldwide to visit and see the vibrant communities they uphold. Many widespread human impacts are now known to negatively affect these reefs, leading to their destruction. The tourism industry built around these reefs has increased the number of scuba and snorkel divers among them, which has the potential to damage the reefs and their ability to cope and recover from increasing disturbances such as rising sea temperatures and coral bleaching. Dive boats that bring divers close to the reefs can damage them through the anchors they throw off, as well as the engine noise which can alter fish behaviour and the species present around the reef. In areas with loud engine noise herbivorous fish that feed on the reefs cannot react as fast to threats such as predators, and spend less time feeding on the reef as they scurry away to hide. Herbivorous fish are important to coral reefs as they feed on the algae which grows on corals. If these algae reach certain levels it can out-compete and kill the corals by taking up nutrients and blocking them from sunlight. Divers themselves often damage the reef through mistake, leading to their large fins breaking off bits of coral. Damage is not only caused by direct touching of the corals, but also by the dirt and sand in the sediment kicked up, which covers the corals inhibiting their ability to acquire energy and leads to their death. In very popular areas such as Phuket, the sheer number of divers and boats the reefs encounter could well lead to rapid reef decline.
As part of my research project, we will be studying the coral and fish communities, and sedimentation between sites with varying dive frequency to determine the severity and effect these divers have on the ecosystem. The number of divers at each site will be sourced from the many dive centres around Phuket, and populations within the reef community will be recorded. Me and Shion will be diving along 20m transect lines to capture photographs to determine the populations of fish and corals present at these communities, The data collected will allow us to infer differences between high and low density sites and the effect divers have, which can then help determine regulations and limits on the industry for the protection of these reefs. I will be looking at the fish communities in particular, and it will be interesting to find out the effect diving is having on them. Many dive sites have restricted or banned fishing to protect the fish present however intensive diving may also have harmful consequences.
I have never been scuba diving before, so I am very excited to learn new skills – hopefully not out of my depth. I am very grateful for the ability to travel and do my honours project abroad as part of the University and Expedition Society, and develop many insights on marine life first-hand.
Shark Catch Composition and the Effects of Targeted Fishing
Melanie Long
For many years sharks have been perceived as fearsome creatures that pose a threat to humans due to media portrayals and sensationalised reports of attacks. Many people fail to realise the important role they play within the marine ecosystem. Sharks are found in almost all marine environments the world over and are among some of the oldest living organisms found on earth, some species reaching 500+ years old.
They act as apex predators which maintain the populations of species in lower trophic levels, which in turn maintains a balance of species diversity. An ocean without sharks would allow large predatory fish to dominate over smaller herbivorous fish that help keep coral reefs healthy by consuming algae that would otherwise become overabundant and essentially lead to the death of corals.
One of the main problems facing shark species in recent years is overfishing. They have become a highly sought after species due to the value of their fins which are used in shark fin soup, a delicacy associated with luxury in Asia.
According to the Department of Fisheries shark populations in the Andaman Sea have declined by a staggering 96% from 2005 to 2016. Globally it is estimated that over 100 million sharks are removed from our oceans annually. At this rate of decline sharks could disappear from our oceans in the very near future and without them the balanced ecosystem we rely on for so many ecosystem services such as food supply could be altered beyond repair.
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My project aims to investigate the perceived changes to shark communities surrounding Phuket and find out how this industry influences local fishing communities in the area.
Using structured interviews at various fishing piers, markets and villages around the island I hope to collect data reflecting the number of sharks caught by commercial and artisanal fisheries and identify any trends or changes seen in the past few years. Another aspect of this project will be collecting data on living shark communities surrounding Phuket by utilising the passionate dive professionals of the island. We will be hosting a training day, teaching participants to identify and record shark species seen while diving at popular dive sites. This information will feed into larger scale studies. Public participation in data collection is known as citizen science. This method helps gather more data and can make a big difference to projects with limited resources.
