Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. They are also one of the most threatened.

Disturbances to these ecosystems are increasing in frequency and intensity, making the process of recovery ever more important. Douglas Rasher is a senior research scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, and an ecologist and conservation biologist. Rasher studies reef habitats in the coastal realm, where people live and interact with the ocean.

Join Rasher on Aug. 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Bigelow Laboratory in East Boothbay for "Guardians of the Reef: Identifying the Species that Promote Coral Reef Recovery." Discover which species are essential to reef recovery, and how humans can promote this process.

Bigelow Laboratory’s Café Sci is a fun, free way for you to engage with ocean researchers on critical issues and groundbreaking science. You can see the full schedule, learn more, and register online for this popular summer series at www.bigelow.org/cafesci.