Friday, August 12, 2005

Would you like to take a Seaweed Survey?

According to this story over at the Seattle Times, scientists from NOAA are taking science educators out on a Hawaiian island cruise. It may sound frivolous, but while they're out there they will be taking part in a study to estimate the spread of the marine algae Hypnea musciformis (hookweed) throughout Hawaii's coastal waters. Hookweed is a Caribbean species that was introduced to the islands back in the 1970s. Scientists fear they are about to miss their chance at successful management of the species, which has now spread to all but two of the islands.

Bonus points to the author of this article for including the seaweed's scientific name.

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