The Moorea Coral Reef LTER is located on the island of Moorea 20 km northwest of the main island of Tahiti, French Polynesia. Moorea is a high, 1.2 million year old volcanic island surrounded by a well developed coral reef and lagoon system.
Short history:
The Moorea Coral Reef LTER was established in September 2004.
Short research topics:
The science themes that form the nucleus of the Moorea Coral Reef LTER program include the: (1) biological
bases for variation in ecological performance of stony corals (the foundational group); (2) population
dynamics of key groups; (3) food web and nutrient dynamics; and (4) maintenance and functional
consequences of diversity. Two additional research components cut across these themes: (a) an
explicit focus on physical – biological coupling over multiple scales; and (b) physical and ecological
models to synthesize field results and obtain generality. Identified issues within each thematic area
will be explored through focused, process-oriented studies and by long-term experiments and time series
of key abiotic conditions, ecosystem functions, and community and population attributes
of major functional groups.
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