Basic research on the conservation of mesophotic coral reefs around the Ryukyu Islands

• Project/Area Number: 26830146
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Conservation of biological resources
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: Naruse Tohru 琉球大学, 熱帯生物圏研究センター, 准教授 (30398309)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2015)
• Budget Amount: ¥2,730,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥630,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
• Keywords: 中深度サンゴ群集 / 生物多様性 / 生態系

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study aims to record the distribution and species composition of upper mesophotic coral reefs (-30-60m) of the Ryukyu Islands. This study also collects basic environmental data to assess suitable conditions for the mesophotic reefs.
As a result of distributional survey, very large mesophotic coral reefs have been discovered. Species composition and the shape of coralla tend to differ between steep and gentle slopes. Species composition and environmental conditions of upper mesophotic and upper littoral zones (0-20m) differ significantly; the former has fewer and very different species in colder and darker environments.