Sea cucumber poop good for reefs

Sea cucumbers could help buffer reefs from ocean acidification due to climate change.

A sausage-like string of sea cucumber poop, seen on Pulau Semakau.

A recent study found that sea cucumber poop raises the pH level of the water, thus countering the effects of ocean acidification. While their ammonia waste fertilises and provides nutrients for coral growth. As they eat sand, they also release dissolved calcium carbonate, a key component of corals.

Mega Marine Survey digs up 100 species!

Thanks to Grace Chua of the Straits Times, we learn that the Mega Marine Survey has uncovered 100 species, some are new to Singapore or to science, even though we are only one-third through the project!

Among the featured creatures is this anemone which we found deep into the mudflats of Lim Chu Kang. This bumpy, warty sea anemone so new to science, it does not even have a scientific name yet. We have fondly nicknamed it Bill and we've seen it at other locations in Singapore too.

4 Feb (Sat): Celebrate World Wetlands Day at Sungei Buloh

I'll be giving a talk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve's celebration of  World Wetlands Day! It's my maiden attempt at a talk focused solely on mangroves! Lots of other activities at Buloh too including food tasting and displays of fishes and other mangrove creatures!

Click on image for larger view.
From the Ramsar website.

2 Feb is World Wetlands Day and in 2012, the theme is wetland tourism. This cartoon charmingly illustrates some of the issues of tourism which often frustrate nature volunteers.

Clammy evening at Changi

There's lots to see even though the tide is not very low! Today I visited a narrow band of seagrasses, sandy and rocky shores at Changi.

There were lots of clams, and other creatures too!

Lush reefs of Sisters Island with surprise crab

What a pretty crab! I've not seen one like this before! And Kok Sheng found a basket star too!

A small team surveyed Sisters Island yesterday. It was relief to see that the reefs seemed fine.