Pacific NEON
National Ecological Observatory Network
A planning site targeting the National Science Foundation NEON Program
HIMB Inventory
Name of Institution/Field Site:
Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Location:
46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kaneohe, HI 967443.
Available at site: for research, ecological monitoring & assessment
The Institute is located on Moku O Lo’e, commonly known as Coconut Island, in the southern end of Kaneohe Bay. Because of its island location, it has access to excellent flow-through sea water systems and freshwater from the windward aquifer. The facility has flumes simulating coral reef flat environments, reef microcosm tanks, fish holding facilities, and six controlled tidal ponds with a total of 4,829 square meters of area. The new Pauley-Pagen Marine Laboratory has facilities for high throughput genome sequencing with microarrayer and scanner. The laboratories support state-of-the-art physiology studies, cell and molecular biology research, pigment analysis, gas chromatography/mass spectrophotometry, and histological techniques. There are algal and larval culture facilities, solar simulators, underwater video recording and data analysis equipment, and photographic darkrooms. There are terminals to the UH mainframe computers that connect via microwave technology and fiber optic lines that permit 1.3 gigabytes/sec transmission rates. There is a compressor room for SCUBA tank support as well as maintenance and engineering shop support. There are Boston whalers, two Rage vessels, and the Honu Kai, a 14m passenger/cargo vessel).
Unique attributes of site:
Researchers at this site have access to fringing and patch coral reefs as well as the only barrier reef in the Hawaiian archipelago. Outside the barrier reef, researchers can reach the open ocean within half a mile where the depths can reach over 600 feet. Thus, HIMB is positioned to provide in situ studies of coral reef ecology and coastal-estuarine processes. The Institute provides University researchers with access to the model organisms that are critical to programs in symbiosis and drug discovery.
Research at the site:
The biological richness of the coral reef ecosystem is the central focus of the research at HIMB. Scientists are examining the vertebrate and invertebrate fauna, the microbial community and the algal and coral reef infrastructure that make up coral reefs. The individual projects include: (1) genetics of marine larval distribution for both vertebrate and invertebrate marine species; (2) metagenomic analysis of the microbial community of healthy and disturbed coral ecosystems; (3) evolutionary genetics of coral and fish species in the Pacific; (4) aquaculture of reef organisms; (5) pathogenesis and control strategies for disease in reef organisms; (6) monitoring and assessment of coral reefs in the Main and Northwest Hawaiian Islands; (7) sensor technology development for marine mammals, tuna and sharks, reef fish and invertebrates; (8) monitoring reefs through hyperspectral analyses; and (9) development of control strategies for marine invasive organisms.
URL:
Contact:
Dr. Jo-Ann Leong, Director joannleo@hawaii.edu
PH: 808-236-7401
FX: 808-236-7443Photo courtesy of Brent Daniel
Web Master
David Kimball
dkimball@hawaii.edu
Pacific NEON
http://www.pacificneon.hawaii.edu