A Milestone in Coral Reef Research
Symbios Science
The scientific program of Symbios evolved substantially from the time of its original conceptualization through the end of the expedition and publication of scientific papers. Not only did location and personnel change, but also did many elements of the study. Scientific serendipity, availability of scientists to participate and logistical circumstances all contributed. The original proposal that was submitted to the National Advisory Board for the R/V Alpha Helix and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography proposed "to examine the structure and .function of a coral reef community from two points of view: 1. how do these communities function as single metabolic units? (Some atoll reef communities are unusually amenable to study as single unidirectional flow of water across them); and 2. which organisms are involved in reef community metabolism to a significant degree and how do they influence the flux of nitrogen, phosphorus and reduced carbon within the community?" While it is clear that in the final result Symbios did accomplish its major goals, it ultimately did much more than that as many unanticipated collateral results were also obtained.