Diving into the deep end

By Hannah Raven, Master’s candidate, SAEON Egagasini Node Tweet

Collaboration between SAEON’s Egagasini and Elwandle nodes continues with the completion of Hannah Raven’s MSc fieldwork surveying soft-sediment habitats in Algoa Bay as part of the larger African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP).

Hannah’s work contributes towards an ACEP project led by Professor Rosemary Dorrington at Rhodes University focusing on benthic biodiversity from the Agulhas bioregion as a potential source of new pharmaceuticals.

Survey of benthic biodiversity

The component of the ACEP project led by the SAEON Egagasini Node through Hannah’s MSc project, aims to provide a survey of benthic biodiversity and characteristics of unconsolidated marine sediment habitats within Algoa Bay. The information gathered will contribute towards a spatial inventory of the benthos and ecological understanding of the benthic habitat in Algoa Bay, closely linked with taxonomic and bio-discovery components of the project.

Drop-camera frame on its way to photograph areas of seabed on soft-sediment habitats at 12 stations randomly distributed across Algoa Bay Dr Charles von der Meden (left), Hannah Raven (centre) and Laurenne Snyders (Department of Environmental Affairs) caught in a selfie by the drop-camera frame during deployment

Hannah is registered at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), hosted in Cape Town at the SAEON Egagasini Node, and supervised by Dr Lara Atkinson (SAEON), Dr Charles von der Meden (SAEON) and Prof. Amanda Lombard (NMMU).

Hannah started her Master’s degree after completing her NRF-DST internship at the Egagasini Node in April 2016. She jumped directly into her MSc fieldwork from mid-April to May 2016 and returned to Algoa Bay in August/September to complete sampling of the last few stations.

During her stay in Port Elizabeth, Hannah was hosted at the SAEON Elwandle Node and used their GoPro drop-camera frame and dive lights to conduct the benthic survey. The drop-camera was used to photograph areas of seabed on soft-sediment habitats at 12 stations randomly distributed across Algoa Bay, comprising six inshore (30-50m) and six offshore (50-100m) stations. The work was done using SAEON’s research vessel RV Honckenii and SAIAB’s RV uKwabelana during April/May and August/September this year.

Weather conditions in Algoa Bay are often unpredictable. During April/May Algoa Bay experienced one of the largest storms this year, making sampling very challenging, hence the need for a second field trip to complete the sampling in August/September.

Sampling soft-sediment habitats is time consuming, additionally so in rough sea conditions as the drop-camera must remain on the sea floor for a longer period of time to allow the disturbed sediment to settle before a clear image can be captured. Patience, a close watch on the weather forecast and quite a lot of good luck is required to get the timing right and to make sure the images and boat time (and cost) aren’t wasted.

Hannah holding up the drop-camera frame while they move to the next station Marine Spatial Planning Research Group students at the writing skills workshop

Sediment samples were collected at each station using a towed cone-dredge. Hannah processed these samples at NMMU for sediment particle size.

Using Coral Point Count, Hannah is currently processing more than 3 000 images collected from the 12 stations, which will provide insight into the benthic biodiversity distribution within soft-sediment habitats in Algoa Bay. Information and data extracted from these images will provide important baseline data that are relevant for the proposed extension of the Addo Elephant Park Marine Protected Area.

An active student life

Joining Prof. Amanda (Mandy) Lombard’s Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Research Group has opened up a number of opportunities for Hannah, including attending the 2016 National Biodiversity Planning Forum in June where the group was introduced and each presented on their proposed research topics. This annual conference usually has a strong terrestrial focus, however this year, marine spatial planning was included and further marine topics have been proposed for future forums.

Prof. Lombard also provided the opportunity for the MSP Research Group to attend the Research Skills Workshop, a component of the Grassland Society of South Africa Conference in July. This workshop provided insight into numerous relevant topics including “The research question”, experimental design, data management, photography in the field and presenting poster and oral presentations. Attending this workshop provided an excellent opportunity for postgraduate students to learn the basics from experienced scientists and to improve their skills as future researchers.

Images captured using the drop-camera frame

The MSP Research Group was also given the opportunity to attend a four-day Writing Skills Workshop presented by Dr Rob Anderson (DAFF/UCT). Common writing styles and errors were discussed, including best practice for publishing. A-rated scientist Prof. Richard Cowling provided insight on how to address reviewers’ comments and how to become a reviewer.

Hannah was nominated as the Egagasini Node’s Graduate Student Network (GSN) representative with the appointment of a new steering committee. She is looking forward to the next 18 months during which she aims to complete her master’s dissertation while participating in workshops, GSN planning and implementation, and conferences along the way.

This past year has certainly seen Hannah diving right into the deep end of her MSc project and becoming deeply involved in SAEON activities.