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| Moorea Coral Reef LTER Site |
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The Moorea Coral Reef LTER is one site in a network of national and international LTERs.
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The Moorea Coral Reef LTER site is the coral reef complex that surrounds the island of Moorea, French Polynesia (17o30'S: 149o50'W). Moorea is a small, triangular volcanic island 20 km west of Tahiti in the Society Islands of French Polynesia.
Ideal Research Setting
The coastal
environments of Moorea offer an unparalleled opportunity for studies of
coral reef ecosystems. An offshore barrier reef forms a system of
shallow (mean depth ~ 5-7 m), narrow (~0.8-1.5 km wide) lagoons around the
60 km perimeter of Moorea. All major coral reef types (e.g.,
fringing reef, lagoon patch reefs, back reef, barrier reef and fore reef)
are present and accessible by small boat. The reefs are in excellent
condition and have been subject to relatively few natural disturbances in
the last several decades.
Well Developed Infrastructure and Ease of Logistics
The rich research
opportunities afforded by the reefs of Moorea are greatly facilitated by
the infrastructure and the ease with which field research can be
conducted. The field portion of the Moorea Coral Reef LTER is staged
from the
Richard B. Gump South Pacific
Research Station on Cooks Bay
on the north shore of Moorea, which has been operated by the University of California since the early 1980's. Station
facilities include several laboratory buildings, a flow-through sea water
system, a dock, launch ramp, a fleet of small boats and vehicles, a Scuba
compressor and dive locker. Station housing includes a dormitory and
several bungalows. The Station has a permanent staff including a
director, facilities manager, administrative assistant, maintenance
personnel, groundskeepers and housekeepers.
click here to see a larger version of this photo.
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