Stanford Professor Presents to the CORAL Board

Last month, noted marine scientist Steve Palumbi (Director of Hopkins Marine Station and Harold A. Miller Professor in Marine Sciences at Stanford) gave a presentation at the biannual meeting of CORAL’s Board of Directors. In his presentation, Professor Palumbi shared a short overview of his current research on ecological connectivity and the genetics of coral reefs, and the application of such information to marine protected area strategy and management.

Steve also took some time to preview his recently launched Microdocs project. Designed for an online audience with a short attention span, the more than thirty micro-documentaries featured on the site tackle such topics as sustainability, coral reef issues, reef species, and solutions from around the world.

In What Is a Coral?, Palumbi uses coffee cups and plumeria blossoms to illustrate how coral polyps combine to form large colonies. And in Reefs and Resorts, he shows how coastal development is threatening coral reef sustainability.

Filmed on location in American Samoa, the Bahamas, Palau, Turks and Caicos, Fiji, Tuvalu, and Micronesia, these accessible, jargon-free documentaries are valuable resources for ocean outreach efforts and educators.