All posts by zg30

Final Reflection: Birds, Soft Corals, and the Wonders of Two Ecosystems

The tropical rainforest and coral reef are two of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth, and exploring both gave me a new appreciation for their complexity. Both ecosystems have intricate physical structures that create many different habitats—tall trees and layered canopies in the rainforest, and complex coral formations underwater. This structural diversity allows many species to find their own niches. In the rainforest, birds use different canopy layers to find food and shelter, while on the reef, soft corals create important habitat and shelter for small fish and invertebrates.

Soft corals are fascinating because, unlike hard corals, they don’t build massive calcium carbonate skeletons but still play a crucial role in reef ecosystems. They provide habitat complexity and contribute to reef resilience by offering shelter and breeding grounds for many organisms. Just like birds in the rainforest, soft corals are key species that influence the diversity and health of their environment. Both depend on delicate balances—birds rely on a steady supply of insects, fruits, and flowers, while soft corals depend on symbiotic relationships with algae that provide energy through photosynthesis.

One big difference is mobility: birds are active and move around quickly, influencing the ecosystem through seed dispersal and insect control, while soft corals are sessile but respond dynamically to currents and light, creating a vibrant, ever-moving underwater forest. Both, however, demonstrate how important biodiversity and interdependence are in maintaining ecosystem health.

Before this course, I expected fieldwork but didn’t realize how deeply connected I’d feel to these organisms. Watching birds flit through the rainforest canopy and snorkeling over waving soft corals were unforgettable experiences that showed me life at different scales and speeds. My least favorite moment was dealing with the bugs in the room at Las Cuevas—it was definitely a test of patience and made sleeping a challenge!

Three key lessons I’ll carry forward are:

  1. Lionfish invasions threaten soft corals indirectly by disrupting the reef’s food web, highlighting the complexity of ecosystem interactions.

  2. Soft corals are more sensitive to environmental stress than I thought, making their conservation crucial to reef health.

  3. Bird diversity in tropical rainforests depends on habitat complexity and availability, showing how changes to one part of the ecosystem ripple outward.

Overall, the course taught me that both birds and soft corals are vital to their ecosystems, and protecting biodiversity means understanding these connections across very different but equally amazing habitats.

Blog Entry: May 30 Title: From Coral Reefs to Customs Lines

We started our final day at Glover’s Reef way before sunrise—5 a.m. wake-up call, followed by a quick breakfast of plain bread and a lot of yawning. The boat ride back to the mainland was… rough. The water was choppy, and for the first time this week, I felt truly seasick. I did everything to distract myself: deep breathing, staring at the horizon, mentally listing every species of soft coral I could remember. It sort of worked.

Once we got to the marina, stepping onto solid ground felt like a small miracle. From there, we took an air-conditioned bus (best part of the day) to the airport. That’s when the travel stress really kicked in—I only had a little over an hour to catch my connecting flight. Cue a full-on airport power walk through customs and security. Luckily, I made it.

Now that I’m home in NYC, it’s strange to think that just this morning I was surrounded by turquoise water and coral reefs. It’s hard leaving a place where soft corals gently sway under the waves and lionfish lurk in rocky crevices. I already miss the reef—but I’m bringing back a suitcase full of memories (and probably some sand in my shoes).

Blog Entry: May 29 Title: Trashy Science and Hungry Lionfish

Today was a mix of data, discovery, and a little bit of fish guts. We started our morning putting together our research poster on trash distribution around Middle Caye. We compared three areas: the mangroves, the beach by the dorms, and the coral graveyard. The idea was to see where trash builds up the most and what types show up where—like plastic, metal, or fishing gear. Unfortunately, our results were inconclusive. The trash density varied so much, and our measurement method didn’t give us the consistency we hoped for. Still, we learned a lot about how unpredictable (and messy) real-world science can be.

In the afternoon, things got fishy—literally. We dissected a lionfish, one of the most invasive predators in the Caribbean. They’re originally from the Indo-Pacific but have spread rapidly in Atlantic and Caribbean waters. It was fascinating to see the anatomy up close—sharp spines, a big stomach, and lots of muscle. These fish can eat over 50 different species and have no natural predators here, which makes them a huge problem for reef ecosystems.

This dissection hit close to home for me because my lecture presentation is on lionfish, and more importantly, they directly threaten my assigned taxonomic group: soft corals. While lionfish don’t eat corals, they prey heavily on small fish that graze on algae. Without those grazers, algae overgrows and smothers soft corals, which are already sensitive to changes in light, water quality, and space competition. It’s a chain reaction that shows how a single invasive species can impact organisms it doesn’t even touch.

Corals and Conservation: Exploring MPAs

We kicked off the day by talking through our research question: How does species biodiversity differ between Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and non-MPA zones? After some discussion, we decided to test whether MPAs actually support more biodiversity and healthier reefs.

To investigate, we snorkeled at four reef sites—two inside MPAs and two outside. At each site, we swam along three transects and took three photos per transect to make sure we had clear images for analysis.

While snorkeling, the difference between the zones was striking. The MPA sites were bursting with life—especially soft corals like sea fans, sea rods, and sea fingers. These corals aren’t rigid like the hard corals we often picture, but they’re just as important. Soft corals add structure to the reef, provide habitat for marine life, and are good indicators of reef health. Seeing them thriving in the MPAs was a good sign.

After reviewing our photos, our initial impression held up: MPA zones showed higher biodiversity and healthier coral communities. It’s amazing how much protection can impact reef life—and how much soft corals can tell us about the bigger picture.

Crabs, Coral, and a Box Jellyfish

We started the morning working on our research poster, which focuses on parrotfish. As part of our project, we did a fish follow survey and found that parrotfish spend most of their time eating algae. They’re basically the reef’s cleanup crew.

After that, we went out to the seagrass beds to see what we could catch using nets and buckets. We found a bunch of cool stuff—hermit crabs, other small crabs, and even a box jellyfish! That one definitely got our attention. We were careful, of course, but it was wild to see one up close.

In the afternoon, we visited what’s called the coral graveyard, and honestly, it was kind of amazing. There were old dead brain corals, finger corals, sea rods, sea fans, and more. It really gave a sense of how much life used to be there. In the shallow water near the rocks, we also saw snails with these round, hard carbonate shells that seal shut like little trapdoors—so cool to watch.

We finished the day with presentations, which was a great way to tie it all together. A long day, but packed with discoveries!

Snorkeling with Parrotfish and Soft Corals

This morning we snorkeled near the patch reefs by Glover’s Reef, kicking off a project on parrotfish diets. Our group split into pairs, with each pair tracking a different parrotfish species. My partner and I were assigned the stoplight parrotfish—easily one of the most colorful fish on the reef.

We visited both a close reef and one further out. At the closer site, we spotted two female stoplight parrotfish grazing on the reef. After lunch, we explored the Aquarium site, where we saw even more parrotfish doing their thing—chomping algae off the rocks like little underwater lawnmowers.

From our observations and video recordings, we noticed that the parrotfish weren’t too picky—they seemed to feed on just about everything in sight. While they’re known for grazing on algae, the ones we watched were also biting at corals and even seagrass. It was surprising to see how actively they scraped at different surfaces, showing just how big of an impact these fish have on shaping the reef environment.

As part of my own focus on soft corals, I kept an eye out for interesting species. I saw purple sea fans swaying with the current, some corky sea fingers, and a few black sea rods—all soft, flexible, and fascinating. It’s wild how different each one looks, even though they’re all in the same group.

First Dives and Soft Coral Surprises

Today was all about getting our feet—or fins—wet. We kicked things off with a morning snorkel just off the shore near Glover’s Research Station. It wasn’t meant to be anything too serious—just a chance to try out our gear and adjust to being back in the water. Even though it was a test run, I couldn’t help scanning for signs of soft corals, my assigned group. Spoiler: I found some!

The real show came after lunch when we headed to Long Point, also known as “the aquarium” (for good reason). The water was crystal-clear and the reef felt alive with color and motion. I spent most of my time trailing over the coral beds, and I was thrilled to spot several soft coral species: waving purple sea fans, elegant black sea rods, and the distinct branching shapes of circle sea rods. These corals don’t build the reef like their stony cousins, but they add a ton of texture, color, and motion to the underwater scene.

There’s something mesmerizing about the way soft corals move with the current—almost like underwater plants, except they’re very much animals. I’m excited to keep learning more about them and to see how their presence changes depending on where we snorkel.

Not a bad start for day one. Gear tested, fins working, and soft corals officially spotted.

Screenshot
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Day 9: Beautiful boat ride to Glovers!

Today we made the journey from the Tropical Education Center to Glover’s Reef Research Station, and wow—it already feels like we’ve entered a whole new world. We hit the road around 9 AM, grabbed a quick lunch, and headed to the marina by 12:30. From there, the real adventure began.

The boat ride out to the station is absolutely stunning. The water changes color beneath us—from a soft, teal blue to a deep, almost navy shade, then back to that dreamy turquoise. As we crossed the barrier reef, the boat slowed way down—the water there is super shallow and crystal clear. It feels surreal to be moving over such vibrant, living water.

We’ve just settled in at Glover’s, and it’s beautiful. Palm trees sway in the wind, the ocean is all around us, and already I’ve seen hermit crabs wandering around during the day. Tonight, huge land crabs made an appearance under the moonlight—something tells me they own this place after dark.

Can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds. If today’s any sign, it’s going to be unforgettable.

Caves, Culture, and Creatures: A Day of Firsts in Belize

Today was full of adventure, from swimming into a sacred cave to spotting wildlife under the stars. We left Las Cuevas early and made our way to the Tropical Education Center, but not before stopping at the famous ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) cave. Getting inside meant swimming through the entrance and squeezing through narrow rock passages. It was intense but completely worth it—I loved every minute.

Inside the cave, we saw ancient Mayan pottery and even human remains from ritual sacrifices. Standing in the same space where ceremonies happened centuries ago was surreal. I’ve always found the Mayan culture fascinating, but seeing these artifacts up close added a whole new level of respect and wonder. It felt like stepping into history.

After settling in at the Tropical Education Center, we ended our day with a night visit to the Belize Zoo. I’d never been to a zoo at night before, and seeing nocturnal animals active under the moonlight was such a cool experience. We saw tapirs, wild cats, snakes, and more—but the highlight for me, as someone studying birds, was an owl that called out and actually attracted another owl in response. Watching that interaction felt like witnessing a private moment in the bird world.

Between ancient rituals and modern wildlife, today was unforgettable. Whether we were deep underground or walking through the zoo at night, Belize continues to surprise me with its history, biodiversity, and magic.

Camera Traps and Campfire Stories at Las Cuevas

 

Today was an exciting and rewarding day at Las Cuevas Research Station! We went back into the forest to retrieve the camera traps we set up when we first arrived on May 19.  It felt great to collect the equipment after it had been silently observing the rainforest for days. These cameras are key to helping us understand more about the wildlife here—especially the birds that are often hard to spot in person.

We spent most of the day working on presentations. In the morning, we wrapped up our rainforest presentations and then began preparing for our upcoming reef topics. It was a great opportunity to reflect on what we’ve learned so far and to practice communicating that knowledge clearly. Talking about the incredible biodiversity here made me appreciate just how much we’ve seen already.

In the afternoon, we gathered as a class to look through the photos from the camera traps. It was so interesting to see what animals had wandered by while we were off doing other things. One clear trend stood out: cameras on the trails captured far more activity than those placed deeper in the forest. This made a lot of sense—animals, including birds, often use trails as pathways, just like we do. Watching these patterns emerge really brought our research to life.

Later that evening, we had dinner outside and were treated to something incredible: fifteen scarlet macaws and two parrots flew overhead while we were eating. It was an absolutely surreal moment. Seeing so many brilliant flashes of red and green cutting across the sky was breathtaking—definitely one of those memories I’ll never forget. We ended the day gathered around a campfire deep in the forest, sharing stories and soaking in the sounds of the jungle. It was the perfect ending to a busy, beautiful day.