The R/V Alpha Helix Symbios Expedition, a Milestone in Coral Reef Research

University Of South Florida, Tampa FL

Investigators

Abstract

Over 30 years ago the NSF-supported Symbios Expedition to Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands, aboard the R/V Alpha Helix, gave science new insights into the metabolism and functioning of coral reefs. Yet, although scientists worldwide know this expedition from the many papers that resulted from it, few know what resources and planning it took to undertake this highly successful research project. The goal of this project is to provide better documentation of this expedition, and in the process, assess its high scientific productivity and the key factors that led to this productivity.