| The physical structure of coral reefs, like that of rainforests and other spatially-complex ecosystems, modulates light, fluid flow, and other physical variables to create a spatially and temporally complex mosaic of microhabitats. Accurate and affordable methods for quantifying this spatio-temporal variation are required to address many basic and applied research questions related to the ecology and management of reefs. Recent advances in semiconductor electronics technology have made it easier and much less expensive to build small and reliable datalogging instruments, which can be deployed in arrays to record spatio-temporal patterns of ecologically-important variables. Suitable instruments are already commercially available for $100 (US) or less per... |
