A Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), known more popularly as a Red Tide, invaded the Sonoma Coast in September and wrought havoc on the abalone population. HABs have occurred in the area around Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in recent years, but fortunately have thus far not had such devastating effects on our rocky reef community, perhaps because our reef is exposed to moving tidal currents on even the calmest of days. (HABs tend to form when seas are calm and skies are sunny.)
Read more about the Sonoma Coast HAB event and what researchers are learning from it at KQED Quest’s web site: http://science.kqed.org/quest/2011/10/03/red-tide-rising/
