Where do we go from here?

[desertreefer]

Eric,

I just read the log for Sunday's chat. I regret not being able to attend. I would like some suggestions on where interested students could go from here? For example, I would like to get some reading material, however, the reference list in your book is OVERWHELMING. (Plus, I read some of the scientific papers at the university library, and wow, do I know I'm not a biologist....)

Do you have any suggestions on good followup material that would be understandable based on our current level of knowledge?

Also, what as a hobbyist, could I do to help expand the knowledge pool? There are SO many animals for which so little information exists. Can you suggest a specific project and help out with guidelines to make the results useful?

Now that I'm back in the habit of studying, I'd like to keep it going!

Sandy

 

[ATJ]

Sandy,
How'd the skating training go?

I agree, there are just far too many references in the back of the book to just read. What I am planning to further my research is to pick one topic and research that. At the moment I am looking at feeding. I will start with the references Eric has cited in his book and in the lecture material and then move out from there.

 

[JoshF]

Sandy, I know what you mean about getting back in the habit of studying! It's one of those things you either keep doing gung-ho or end up neglecting. Since this is one of those hobbies that incorporates SOOO many different fields of knowledge from biology to engineering the shear variety of information can be disconcerting. Even just the information from this class was fairly massive (but ahermatypic!

Sorry, couldn't resist!) Now that I'm motivated, I want to make a database that all of this information could be accessed through. Something along the lines of being able to get information about Acropora spp. in general, or having Acropora spp. show up in a subclass of corals that like high light or eat a certain type of food. It would definitely be an ongoing project, but I've been in the hobby only two years and plan to do this extensively for the rest of my life and I have a horrible memory! Hopefully down the road I'll have something that will be useful to reefkeepers in general and not just myself.

Hopefully I'll see all of you at future MACO courses (or even a repeat of this one...) Starting halfway through the class made passing difficult! Rather than rushing through the material I'd like to do it all over again. Maybe next time I'll even have the right books on time!

Josh

 

[desertreefer]

Andrew,

Regionals went well. I won my figure event and get to go to Nationals the first week of August.

I was actually thinking of doing some more work on my course-long project. There is precious little about Catalaphyllia jardinei that I could find. I thought I'd put in some more research and document/photograph the two that I have at home.

I would like to do some more reading, but, as I said before, the reference list was overwhelming. The other problem is that if you just start reading papers that are on the list, you don't know if you're reading theories that have since been abandoned. Reading the most currently written work is also not a guarantee that it's generally accepted. I want to spend some time in this pursuit, but I can't afford to make it a career!

Congrats on being top of the class! (Secretely she mutters something about "smarty-pants".....

)

Take care.
Sandy

 

[liquid]

Sounds like an interesting book. I'll look into it after I get that Soft Corals and Sea Fans book from Oz...

Man, I *really* wish I coulda finished up the course with the rest of you. Changing circumstances just didn't allow it however. Will you be teaching any future MACO courses Eric? I'd like to get my certificate of completion on this subject matter someday...

Have a good one!

Shane

 

[Eric Borneman]

Hi guys:

I would love to help any of you go further and I am so glad you are excited enough to do this. I'll be glad to help you with providing references, telling you about current v. old thoughts, and to help you get in touch with those working on various issues. It would be my pleasure.

 

[Eric Borneman]

Oh, recommended reasing material for you from here? I would try and get a copy of Life and Death of Coral Reefs, Charles Birkeland, ed. If its out of print, try used locaters...its not old, just limited printing, I think...it is excellent, readable, well referenced and comprehensive. Also, not too expensive.