Field Frame Friday: Be a courteous neighbor, and look but don’t touch.

Posted by Karli Rice Chudeau on December 28, 2018April 10, 2019

When out observing nature, it is best to keep your hands to yourself. Not just because animals like this Lionfish (Genus‎: ‎*Pterois*) are venemous to humans, but because environmental disturbance can negatively affect the animals in their natural environment.

[Photo by Nick Chudeau; Caption by Karli Chudeau]

Reference

Dearden, P., Theberge, & M., Yasué, M. (2010). Using underwater cameras to assess the effects of snorkeler and SCUBA diver presence on coral reef fish abundance, family richness, and species composition. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 163(1-4), 531-538.