The Birch Aquarium in La Jolla has opened a new coral-reef exhibit that’s not only meant to impress visitors with its tropical colors and colorful fish, but also to serve as a research facility for scientists at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
The display, which opened Wednesday in the aquarium’s Hall of Fishes, is called “Research in Action: 100 Island Challenge.” It’s named for an ongoing Scripps project that involves studying coral reefs, complete with expeditions around the world.
Leveraging the experimental reef at the aquarium, scientists plan to develop and refine underwater research techniques, as well as test digital cameras and robotic equipment used for documenting ecosystems in the wild.
“We now have a coral reef in our backyard, allowing us to work in the tropics without leaving San Diego, all the while sharing the discovery process with visitors to Birch Aquarium,” said Stuart Sandin, a marine biologist at Scripps whose lab team explores coral-reef ecosystems.
Researchers plan to conduct tests during museum hours, allowing guests to observe and ask the experts questions. The exhibit also includes 500 fish that are native to reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans.
“We’re helping with their research, and that makes the tank even more exciting for us and special to put together,” said Fernando Nosratpour, associate aquarium curator at the Birch Aquarium.
The 100 Island Challenge project at Scripps is aimed at better understanding how reef environments adapt and react to global warming and other human impacts. While many reefs are suffering from climate change and an increasingly acidic oean, some, especially in remote locations, continue to thrive.
Scripps scientists hope to take what they learn during tests at the aquarium’s exhibit and apply it to their field research during voyages to locations such as the Caribbean, Hawaii and remote areas of the South Pacific.
Even though they cover less than 1 percent of Earth’s surface, coral reefs are home to a quarter of the planet’s biodiversity. These ecosystems protect shoreline communities from flooding and often sustain fishing communities.
Admission to the Birch Aquarium, which includes the new exhibit, is $18.50 for adults and $14 for children ages 3 to 17. More information is available at aquarium.ucsd.edu or by calling 858-534-3474.
Phone: (619) 293-2234