Research Projects
Dr. Luis D'Croz, STRI
This study "Monitors coastal environments in Bocas del Toro to understand the function and relations of the different biological communities, mangrove forest, seagrass beds and coral reefs". Periodically surveys are done for water quality and plankton (nutrients, salinity, zooplankton biomass, chlorophyl), environmental parameters (sea level, wind, sea surface temperature, rain, etc.), mangroves (tree growth, primary productivity, recruitment, etc.), seagrass beds (water-pore chemistry of sediments, leaf growth, biomass, etc.), and finally, coral reefs (changes in coral cover, abundance).
The response of phytoplankton to experimental nutrification in Bocas del Toro. The dynamics of dissolved nutrients in the coastal zone may have influence on the plankton food web. Nitrogen and Phosphorus are indispensable for the growth of phytoplankton and its supply greatly vary in the ocean. We are carrying microcosm experiments to test what is the response of phytoplankton to increased concentrations of these elements. We aim to identify what is the nutrient limiting phytoplankton growthin Bocas del Toro, and what would be the response of phytoplankton in the scenario of anthropogenic nutrification. Luis D'Croz, Juan B. Del Rosario and Plinio Gondola.
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