Conservation Talk Story ep.5: Ocean Lawnmowers and Coral Reef Ecology w/ Marine Ecologist Dr. Mark Hixon

Coral reef ecosystems are some of the most beautiful and diverse ecosystems to be found on our planet. Many players contribute to keeping these reefs healthy and vibrant. But, the contribution of a certain group of coral reef herbivores is often overlooked. These "ocean lawnmowers" keep coral clean and healthy by eating up all the algae and the byproduct is the very sand that comprises our beaches! We sit down with Dr. Mark Hixon, esteemed professor at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, to talk about coral ecology, science communication, and why we love our oceans so much.

Conservation Talk Story is a storytelling forum for conservationists in Hawaii. We host experts on topics covering every aspect of conservation science, including mitigating human impacts, protecting rare species, and public education. Our goal is not only to increase aw ...