Jordan Jontz '24 and Lily Petsinger '24

Jordan Jontz '24 and Lily Petsinger '24: Research with Lisa Greer, Summer 2021

This summer, we - Jordan Jontz '24 and Lily Petsinger '24 - worked with Professor Lisa Greer on her ongoing monitoring of Coral Gardens, Belize and the new and exciting photogrammetry project. Although the trip was almost canceled due to the pandemic, at the last minute we got the opportunity to travel to Belize for nine days. Before leaving, we both got scuba certified, and we were able to go diving almost every day in the field. The main goal of our research was to take photographs of segments of the coral reef, which we analyzed in the lab once we returned to W&L's campus. The percentage of living coral in each photograph was quantified and compared to data going back to 2011. This part of the research was so invigorating because we got to use our data to confirm what was already apparent from diving on the reef - that we are seeing real resilience and recovery! We also had the opportunity to work with local organizations, like the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Fragments of Hope, that are focused on conservation and innovative solutions to widespread loss of coral. It was really inspiring to see how grassroots efforts can initiate real change with these global issues and at the same time work to involve the community.

Another part of our research this summer was Professor Greer's new photogrammetry project. The goal of photogrammetry is to create 3D models using photographs taken in the field; in our case, we took 100+ photos of individual coral colonies while in Belize that we used to make models of different species of coral. We were then able to gather important data about the volume of habitable spaces within the reef that are often missed from a surface perspective. This aspect of the research was definitely challenging because we were working alongside Professor Greer and technicians in the IQ Center to develop the methods for creating these models and gathering data. However, this made it especially rewarding when we were finally successful.

Our favorite part of this summer was definitely the time we spent in Belize, and not only because of how beautiful it is there! As students who are interested in biology and conservation, it was such an amazing experience to be able to scuba dive on the coral reefs and see up close the incredibly rich and diverse life that is supported there. Because Coral Gardens serves as an ecological refugium, we got to see some of the most thriving, prolific coral reefs in the world. We have learned so much this past summer, not only gaining skills with computer programs and scuba diving, but also having the opportunity to see how creativity and a passion for preserving the world's oceans can be implemented in real-world solutions.

Supported in part by the Center for International Education, SRS, and the R. Preston Hawkins IV Award