May Term Class: Marine Biology

Tuesday we woke and said goodbye to Dave Ostergren who returned to Goshen. Most students completed a final trip to Triton Flat for data collection.  A few research groups stayed at the lab and walked to a nearby hard-bottom site.  The weather Tuesday was very windy and the water was choppy – it reminded us … Keep reading »

The morning began with a lecture on Marine Protected Areas with discussion between Dave (policy) and Ryan (ecology) as a way to emphasize that the attributes of a particular natural resource determine how it should be managed.  Since many species in marine systems travel 100’s if not 1000’s of miles as adults (or larvae), the … Keep reading »

The 2013 trip to Layton FL, marks the 47th year of the Goshen College Marine Biology program. HOw a school in Indiana began a program in the Keys is a long story – a key part of that story is the invitation by Del Layton (the Layton founder and mayor) for Goshen College students to … Keep reading »

This morning we walked across the road to Keys Marine Lab for our chartered snorkeling trip to the reef (so we could be on one boat together).  We left the dock around 9:45 for a full day on the water.  We started with a snorkeling visit to Coffin Patch Reef, so named because a ship … Keep reading »

Today’s trip to the mudflat provided another surprise.  Aspen and her team were completing their data collection (examining the habitat requirements for brittle stars), when she noticed a small octopus (Octopus joubini) in the sponge she was studying.  As the octopus came out, multiple baby octopi followed and we were able to view some of … Keep reading »

Another perfect day in the sun.  The conditions today were again spectacular.  One boat of students went to Old Dan Bank and a second to Triton Flats for more research.  On the way we saw a dolphin and a small group of very large (i.e. 5-6 ft) fish.  At Old Dan we caught a sea horse … Keep reading »

  Today we went to the field in both the morning and afternoon for snorkeling in order for students to begin their independent research projects.  On Monday evening each group presented their research proposals to the class and we were able to discuss, advise, and brainstorm the best methodologies for each experimental question.  The research … Keep reading »

Friday morning we explored the microscopic world of the marine system. After a lecture on the epipelagic zone we completed several plankton tows to better understand the base of the marine food chain.  While not the megafauna that most tourists come to see in the Keys, without the copepods, diatoms, dinoflagellates, and other microscopic critters … Keep reading »

It is official, the 47th Goshen College Marine Biology trip is underway!  Twenty students and two faculty arrived safely at the J.N. Roth Marine Biology station in the Florida Keys on Tuesday.  We spent Tuesday evening unloading, unpacking, and un-winding after many hours of traveling.  After a warm meal of spaghetti and french bread, we … Keep reading »