To Protect, You Must Know
The first step in restoring an ecosystem is to study the area and its species, assess the situation, evaluate the impacts and their scope, and propose realistic solutions based on data obtained from research.
When we started this project, we faced a challenge: we aimed to restore a practically unknown species using techniques never described before. Therefore, in collaboration with the Universities of Cádiz and Seville, we initiated a series of long-term studies to gather as much data as possible, increasing knowledge of the area and the orange tree coral population.
“You only protect what you know.” – Jacques Cousteau
Among these studies, we highlight:
Geomorphological characterization of Punta de la Mona using SBL to obtain bathymetry (Aicor, Coral Soul).
Study of distribution and abundance of Dendrophyllia ramea colonies and associated fauna (University of Cádiz – Department of Zoology, IEO – Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Coral Soul).
Study of the presence of the alga Rugulopterix okamurae as an epibiont of Dendrophyllia ramea (University of Cádiz – Department of Zoology, IEO – Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Coral Soul).
Hydrodynamic characterization of the seabeds of Punta de la Mona (University of Cádiz – Department of Physics, Coral Soul).
Study of biodegradability and pollutant accumulation in the SAC Cliffs and Seabeds of Punta de la Mona (University of Cádiz – Department of Physical Chemistry, Coral Soul).
Biometric study of Dendrophyllia ramea (BioParc Aquarium of Gijón, Coral Guardian, Coral Soul). Genetic characterization and haplotype differentiation of the orange tree coral, D. ramea (University of Seville – Department of Zoology, Coral Soul).
Study of epibionts and interspecific competition with fragmented colonies of D. ramea (Coral Guardian, University of Cádiz – Department of Zoology, IEO – Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Coral Soul).
Study of the influence of restored reef areas on the abundance and diversity of fish fauna in the SAC Cliffs and Seabeds of Punta de la Mona (Coral Guardian, Coral Soul).
