Independent Research Project Proposal

Spent a majority of the day finishing up my independent research project proposal to submit to my advisors. The two questions I am addressing are: 1) how does habitat structure and topographic complexity influence species diversity and abundance and 2) how does the cover and diversity of algae communities' impact habitat structure and topographic complexity? I will be collecting data on fish species, invertebrate species, coral species, algae species, and rugosity. Data collection starts this week, so I will be in the water for the next few weeks at least twice a week. In reality, it will be more because we will have class assignments requiring us to dive. I will also be helping my research buddy collect his data on sea urchins. 

For my study break, I went snorkeling for 45 minutes to clear my head and get some sun.

Preview for this week: 
- Monday: 3 dives
- Tuesday: 3 dives
- Wednesday: 1 dive
- Thursday: Guest lecture by National Geographic people that have been living with us
- Friday: 2 dives