Broward College

The objective of The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) coral monitoring is to assess the size and overall condition of corals ≥ 4 cm to help evaluate important structural and functional attributes of tropical western Atlantic coral reefs. Data collected can provide information representative of large areas, like shelves, islands, countries or ecoregions. The coral monitoring surveys can be performed by snorkeling (< 1.5 m), but SCUBA is now recommended for most assessments with diver expertise ranging from novice to highly trained. Survey sites should be chosen randomly within a geomorphic zone of a reef on an insular or continental shelf within one of twelve marine shelf ecoregions of the Tropical Northwestern province of the Tropical Atlantic biogeographic realm. The spatial extent of a site is about 200 m x 200 m and zones of maximum reef development are highly recommended. Recording of exact location using GPS is critical for data quality and consistency. Surveys are completed to assess coral health, recruitments, size, and species. Although single metrics are insufficient to measure whole coral system health due to the highly dynamic nature of reefs, the information collected can indirectly measure environmental quality of the reef and assist in understanding the effects of local and regional stressors. The use of trained volunteer divers whether amateur or professional provides a wealth of information in a cost friendly manner and the data collected from over 3,000 surveys is available in an open-access public database. Information collected from monitoring surveys has become a key source of scientific data used in other research programs, reef policies, legislation, management and conservation.

In the Caribbean region, calcareous shelled organisms are at risk of inhibited larval development (e.g., shell growth and mortality) at high ocean temperatures. Given predicted sea-surface temperatures due to global climate change for the year 2100 (by the IPCC and NOAA) researchers are predicting at what temperatures these changes could affect larval development of Queen conch, Lobatus (Strombus) gigas. Carbon emissions from human activities (e.g., burning of fossil fuels) are affecting marine organisms at multiple trophic levels due to ocean warming and acidification. L. gigas was abundant in their geographic range of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and around Bermuda, now with a combination of overharvesting and global climate change, conchs are candidates for the Endangered Species Act. As CO2 increases in the ocean, carbonate for calcium carbonate production decreases. L. gigas will use more energy to produce their shells (stunting growth rates) or opt for weaker shells. Researchers (Aranda and Manzano) reared L.gigas eggs from hatchling to settlement under five temperatures (28, 28.5, 29, 29.5, 30℃) to assess growth and development. At 30 ℃ larvae experienced faster growth rates, but survival was low (23%). While at 28 ℃ larvae had the highest survival (35%). Temperature seemed to have more of a direct impact on earlier stages of larvae of L. gigas than those closest to settlement. Queen conchs are economically important for their commercial value, being the second largest fishery in the Caribbean. Ocean warming and acidification would cause a decrease in harvest, changing prices for consumers. Urgent action against reducing greenhouse gas emissions must be taken. The Caribbean can mitigate contribution to greenhouse gases by renewable energy since it is an area that has great potential for hydro-electric, geothermal, wind and solar energy. This in turn could reduce the impacts to L. gigas larval development.

Since the 1960’s, south Florida has become an ideal habitat to the green iguana (Iguana iguana), a species that is not native to the region or state. Their introduction to Miami-Dade county is a result of the under-regulated pet trade, and the effects of this have been felt at an increasing intensity in the last five decades. Though most invasive species that garner the level of attention from the public and wildlife officials alike pose a direct threat to the native flora and fauna, the largest issue regarding the green iguana is the damages to structures and private property. Iguanas are able to succeed so greatly in South Florida due to the tropical climate and increasingly warmer winters (the coldest average temperature for January, the harshest winter month is at 65* Fahrenheit, currently). These ideal temperatures for prolonged periods paired with the lack of any enemy in the environment allow for iguana numbers to increase, almost entirely without bounds. With consistently warming climates, habitats can become suitable to invaders that can cause damage to native species and create socio-economic disasters Though the state allows the killing of iguanas by private property owners, this solution is now effective against the exponential growth the species experiences each year. With proper enforcement of fair and legal pet trading, education on invasive species and their impacts, and ethical relocation efforts to areas where expensive damages cannot be carried out easily, the invasion may see a slowdown. If efforts are made to reduce practices that expedite climate change, the ability for non-native and invasive species to spread and adapt to new potential habitat ranges will be reduced as well.

Tsunamis are some of the most incredible yet devastating forces of mother nature. Their sheer and immense power is something of fascination. Earthquakes are primarily responsible for the generation of these massive waves. But what exactly is the link between earthquakes and tsunamis? Tsunamis are a series of ocean waves produced by the displacement of great volumes of water. The displacement of water is typically caused by submarine earthquakes. These earthquakes deform the seafloor, causing the sudden dislocation of a few to tens of cubic kilometers of water. Approximately 80% of tsunamis are the result of underwater earthquakes. Modern methods of studying the relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis involve the use of virtual laboratories, computational models, physical models, kinematic models, and dislocation models. Large tsunamis require substantial parent earthquakes because more than 96% of their energy is stored in the ocean. The resulting tsunami is a means of releasing energy. The larger the earthquake, the larger the proceeding tsunami will be. Though less than 1% of an earthquake’s energy is actually converted into tsunamis, the energy is capable of generating deadly and catastrophic tsunamis. Further investigation may be proposed to analyze other causes of tsunamis, such as submarine landslides.

The Observer is the college wide student newspaper of Broward College. The Observer offers student editors and reporters the opportunity to learn about writing, editing, photography, graphic design, and desktop publishing. In addition, The Observer is widely recognized for its excellence and has won numerous state and individual awards.

The Observer is the college wide student newspaper of Broward College. The Observer offers student editors and reporters the opportunity to learn about writing, editing, photography, graphic design, and desktop publishing. In addition, The Observer is widely recognized for its excellence and has won numerous state and individual awards.

College catalog published annually.

The Observer is the college wide student newspaper of Broward College. The Observer offers student editors and reporters the opportunity to learn about writing, editing, photography, graphic design, and desktop publishing. In addition, The Observer is widely recognized for its excellence and has won numerous state and individual awards.

The Observer is the college wide student newspaper of Broward College. The Observer offers student editors and reporters the opportunity to learn about writing, editing, photography, graphic design, and desktop publishing. In addition, The Observer is widely recognized for its excellence and has won numerous state and individual awards.

Literary magazine designed, produced, and edited solely by the student of Broward College (formerly Junior College of Broward County, Broward Junior College and Broward Community College). Contents include original prose, poetry, artwork, photography, digital works and other forms of creative works. The opinions expressed are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent those of the editors, faculty, staff, administrators or trustees of Broward College.