Professor of Marine Ecology Martin Attrill, the research programme coordinator, said:
“This is an amazing opportunity to study one of the most unspoilt marine environments on the planet. BIOT provides an unrivalled location to understand the important natural interactions between the movement of the oceans, coral reefs and large marine animals and thus inform how we can improve and enhance environmental management. Whilst we are focusing on BIOT as part of the wider Bertarelli science programme, the results of this new funded programme will be applicable across the world and will help to keep our seas healthy. We are grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation for supporting this exciting research.”
Dr Kerry Howell, Associate Professor in Marine Ecology, who is leading the mesophotic coral elements of the programme said:
“We know very little about the deeper parts of coral reefs, as divers cannot reach these areas. There is so much we need to learn and undoubtedly many new species to discover. We will use the University’s Remotely Operated Vehicle to explore these mesophotic reefs, and try to understand how they function.”
Dr Phil Hosegood, Associate Professor in Physical Oceanography, was part of that expedition and is leading the Oceanography elements central to the new research programme. He added:
“By bringing together several marine disciplines, we can develop a clear and informed picture of how the ocean functions in this region. Our ability to answer some of the ocean’s greatest mysteries has always been hindered by the degradation of the marine environment resulting from human exploitation. In the Chagos Archipelago, that is not a factor, and the chance to understand the physical processes that might help corals survive and animal species to flourish is an exciting prospect.”
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