The coral reefs of Banco Capiro in Tela Bay are an ecological mystery; they boast a surprisingly high percentage cover of healthy corals, despite what appear to be unfavourable environmental conditions and a low abundance of reef fish. They are also home to one of the last remaining dense populations of a keystone herbivore, the urchin Diadema antillarum. Operation Wallacea scientists have been monitoring Banco Capiro for a number of years, including both benthic video surveys to assess the health of the reef, and stereo-video surveys to quantify not only fish abundance, but also biomass. In early 2018, the Honduran government designated the area as a new marine protected area (MPA), in an attempt to protect such a valuable and unique marine environment. Students on this project will help expand Operation Wallacea’s long-term monitoring efforts to new reef sites around the bay. By using these data in combination with those from previous years before and after MPA designation, questions can be answered on the impact of this new MPA on the reefs of Banco Capiro, and framed within a broader discussion of the pros and cons of MPAs as a conservation tool.
If you would like to do a dissertation or thesis with us but your university hasn’t started dissertation planning or the project selection process, that’s no problem. You can cancel your expedition with zero cancellation charges up until the 15th of April of if you provide documentation from your university saying that they won’t support completing a dissertation project with us.
In the Caribbean, there are a number of core issues that have been affecting the biodiversity of coral reefs, including the mass mortality of keystone sea urchins that have allowed algal colonisation of reef areas, an invasive predator (lionfish) originally from the Indo-Pacific that has spread across the Caribbean, and overfishing of reef fish by local communities. Opwall has two marine research sites in Honduras where these issues and many more are studied: one is on the island reefs of Utila and the second on the coastal barrier reef of Tela. At both sites, teams of Opwall scientists and students collect annual monitoring data to assess temporal patterns in reef community health, alongside novel research to address key conservation priorities and gaps in our current understanding of these fragile ecosystems. Honduras is also home to Opwall’s pioneering efforts to integrate technological solutions into the monitoring and study of coral reefs, including our 3D computer modelling method. Opwall’s team of marine scientists in Honduras helps to support not only international academic research and new method development, but also supports local non-governmental organisations with their efforts to improve marine conservation in Honduras.
Most of our volunteers fundraise for their expedition costs. Find out more.
Climate
Our marine sites are hot and usually dry, but with occasional storms.
Fitness level required
Low. Some fitness is required for in water activities, but conditions are relatively easy.
Creature comforts
Facilities are comfortable but basic. There is phone signal and limited wifi that is often unreliable.
Find out all about how you could fundraise for an expedition.
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More information on how the dissertation/thesis projects run within Opwall and what you will need to do
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