Crystal McRae
@crystaljmcrae.bsky.social
Assistant Professor at National Sun Yat-sen University in Taiwan. Interested in marine ecology, coral biology, climate change adaptations, and science education.
Lab Website: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com
Lab Website: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com
We just wrapped up another great photogrammetry workshop at National Sun Yat-sen University. Special thanks to the awesome teaching team from Prof. Stuart Sandin's Marine Community Ecology Lab at UCSD/Scripps for sharing their expertise. We're excited to apply what we've learned on Taiwan's reefs!
August 31, 2025 at 2:48 AM
We just wrapped up another great photogrammetry workshop at National Sun Yat-sen University. Special thanks to the awesome teaching team from Prof. Stuart Sandin's Marine Community Ecology Lab at UCSD/Scripps for sharing their expertise. We're excited to apply what we've learned on Taiwan's reefs!
Reposted by Crystal McRae
Please don’t leave us hanging! Next time you 🔎spot a seahorse underwater, don’t forget to 📷 snap a photo & 💻 share your sightings with our #iSeahorseProject on 🔗 inaturalist.ca/projects/ise...
#SavingSeahorses #iSeahorse
#SavingSeahorses #iSeahorse
July 31, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Please don’t leave us hanging! Next time you 🔎spot a seahorse underwater, don’t forget to 📷 snap a photo & 💻 share your sightings with our #iSeahorseProject on 🔗 inaturalist.ca/projects/ise...
#SavingSeahorses #iSeahorse
#SavingSeahorses #iSeahorse
Reposted by Crystal McRae
Ferns!
The island nation of Taiwan is home to an amazing diversity of ferns - more than all of North America & Europe *combined*!
In our 2nd episode we explore why Taiwan's nickname "fern kingdom" is truly apt!
Taiwan: The World’s Hidden Hotspot for Plant Diversity | youtu.be/LXC6W1a2kBY?...
The island nation of Taiwan is home to an amazing diversity of ferns - more than all of North America & Europe *combined*!
In our 2nd episode we explore why Taiwan's nickname "fern kingdom" is truly apt!
Taiwan: The World’s Hidden Hotspot for Plant Diversity | youtu.be/LXC6W1a2kBY?...
The World’s Hidden Hotspot for Plant Diversity | Botanical Wonders
YouTube video by TaiwanPlus
youtu.be
August 1, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Ferns!
The island nation of Taiwan is home to an amazing diversity of ferns - more than all of North America & Europe *combined*!
In our 2nd episode we explore why Taiwan's nickname "fern kingdom" is truly apt!
Taiwan: The World’s Hidden Hotspot for Plant Diversity | youtu.be/LXC6W1a2kBY?...
The island nation of Taiwan is home to an amazing diversity of ferns - more than all of North America & Europe *combined*!
In our 2nd episode we explore why Taiwan's nickname "fern kingdom" is truly apt!
Taiwan: The World’s Hidden Hotspot for Plant Diversity | youtu.be/LXC6W1a2kBY?...
Botanical Wonders is now available on YouTube!
The first episode takes you high up into the central mountain range - check out the link posted by co host @trevorpadgett.bsky.social below to gain a glimpse into the beauty and biodiversity of Taiwan!
The first episode takes you high up into the central mountain range - check out the link posted by co host @trevorpadgett.bsky.social below to gain a glimpse into the beauty and biodiversity of Taiwan!
Update: Botanical Wonders (TaiwanPlus) is now available on YouTube!
The first episode is up today (Giant Cypress) with more to come. This project was truly a work of love - I am ecstatic that Taiwan's exceptional flora can now reach a wider international audience!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jks...
The first episode is up today (Giant Cypress) with more to come. This project was truly a work of love - I am ecstatic that Taiwan's exceptional flora can now reach a wider international audience!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jks...
This Is One of the World’s Rarest Cypress Forests | Botanical Wonders
YouTube video by TaiwanPlus
www.youtube.com
July 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Botanical Wonders is now available on YouTube!
The first episode takes you high up into the central mountain range - check out the link posted by co host @trevorpadgett.bsky.social below to gain a glimpse into the beauty and biodiversity of Taiwan!
The first episode takes you high up into the central mountain range - check out the link posted by co host @trevorpadgett.bsky.social below to gain a glimpse into the beauty and biodiversity of Taiwan!
Thank you for your interest - this position has been filled 👍
📢Research Assistant Job Opportunity! Come join my lab at National Sun Yat-sen University (Taiwan). One-year full-time contract (responsibilities: administrative work, tank maintenance, lab work/field assistance)
Start date: Aug 1. See link for details: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
Start date: Aug 1. See link for details: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
July 22, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Thank you for your interest - this position has been filled 👍
The start date (August 1st) for this position is quickly approaching. I am hoping to wrap up interviews by early next week, so if you are interested in applying, please send me your CV soon. Thanks!
(note: fluency in Mandarin is required for this position)
(note: fluency in Mandarin is required for this position)
📢Research Assistant Job Opportunity! Come join my lab at National Sun Yat-sen University (Taiwan). One-year full-time contract (responsibilities: administrative work, tank maintenance, lab work/field assistance)
Start date: Aug 1. See link for details: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
Start date: Aug 1. See link for details: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
July 16, 2025 at 4:26 AM
The start date (August 1st) for this position is quickly approaching. I am hoping to wrap up interviews by early next week, so if you are interested in applying, please send me your CV soon. Thanks!
(note: fluency in Mandarin is required for this position)
(note: fluency in Mandarin is required for this position)
📢Research Assistant Job Opportunity! Come join my lab at National Sun Yat-sen University (Taiwan). One-year full-time contract (responsibilities: administrative work, tank maintenance, lab work/field assistance)
Start date: Aug 1. See link for details: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
Start date: Aug 1. See link for details: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
July 3, 2025 at 4:39 AM
📢Research Assistant Job Opportunity! Come join my lab at National Sun Yat-sen University (Taiwan). One-year full-time contract (responsibilities: administrative work, tank maintenance, lab work/field assistance)
Start date: Aug 1. See link for details: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
Start date: Aug 1. See link for details: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
Our lab had a great time at the Taiwan Geosciences Assembly in Taipei this week.
A great way to learn about the vast array of marine science being done here in Taiwan - talks spanned research on sponges to barnacles to blue carbon...and corals too, of course!
#Taiwan #MarineEcology
A great way to learn about the vast array of marine science being done here in Taiwan - talks spanned research on sponges to barnacles to blue carbon...and corals too, of course!
#Taiwan #MarineEcology
June 20, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Our lab had a great time at the Taiwan Geosciences Assembly in Taipei this week.
A great way to learn about the vast array of marine science being done here in Taiwan - talks spanned research on sponges to barnacles to blue carbon...and corals too, of course!
#Taiwan #MarineEcology
A great way to learn about the vast array of marine science being done here in Taiwan - talks spanned research on sponges to barnacles to blue carbon...and corals too, of course!
#Taiwan #MarineEcology
It’s been an exciting semester! We have been busy with in-situ monitoring/sampling, built our new aquaculture room, and hosted our first photogrammetry workshop (thank you to Guan Yan Chen, University of Hawaii). mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/outreach--la...
June 7, 2025 at 3:37 AM
It’s been an exciting semester! We have been busy with in-situ monitoring/sampling, built our new aquaculture room, and hosted our first photogrammetry workshop (thank you to Guan Yan Chen, University of Hawaii). mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/outreach--la...
Reposted by Crystal McRae
Over 200 scientists are streaming for 100 hours, FOR FREE, to try to raise awareness and activism for The National Science Foundation, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Nasa.
CLIMATE SCIENTISTS NEED YOUR ACTIVE VOCAL SUPPORT, PLEASE.
www.youtube.com/live/5vsGBGR...
CLIMATE SCIENTISTS NEED YOUR ACTIVE VOCAL SUPPORT, PLEASE.
www.youtube.com/live/5vsGBGR...
100 Hours to Save America’s Forecasts, Weather and Climate Livestream Part 10
YouTube video by The Weather & Climate Livestream
www.youtube.com
May 31, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Over 200 scientists are streaming for 100 hours, FOR FREE, to try to raise awareness and activism for The National Science Foundation, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Nasa.
CLIMATE SCIENTISTS NEED YOUR ACTIVE VOCAL SUPPORT, PLEASE.
www.youtube.com/live/5vsGBGR...
CLIMATE SCIENTISTS NEED YOUR ACTIVE VOCAL SUPPORT, PLEASE.
www.youtube.com/live/5vsGBGR...
It was my pleasure to join as a panelist on the MARRES Around the World event - a 24-hour tour of marine ecosystems/issues! Check out this link for all of the live and recorded sessions: univ-cotedazur.eu/msc/marres/u...
MARRES around the World (UNOC side event) - Université Côte d'Azur
univ-cotedazur.eu
May 24, 2025 at 1:31 AM
It was my pleasure to join as a panelist on the MARRES Around the World event - a 24-hour tour of marine ecosystems/issues! Check out this link for all of the live and recorded sessions: univ-cotedazur.eu/msc/marres/u...
Reposted by Crystal McRae
In our 12th episode, we return to the mystical coral forests of Kenting & shores of Orchid Island.
Home to unique tropical flora, here we explore the fig tree 'Ficus benjamina var. bracteata' - an ecological wonder & cultural icon!
#Taiwan
#BotanicalWonders
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
Home to unique tropical flora, here we explore the fig tree 'Ficus benjamina var. bracteata' - an ecological wonder & cultural icon!
#Taiwan
#BotanicalWonders
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
Enchanting Uplifted Coral Reef and Banyan - Botanical Wonders
Explore the unique landscape of the uplifted coral reef forest nature reserve and weeping fig (or banyan) on the Hengchun Peninsula in southern Taiwan. Learn all about these extraordinary plants in th...
www.taiwanplus.com
March 6, 2025 at 1:55 AM
In our 12th episode, we return to the mystical coral forests of Kenting & shores of Orchid Island.
Home to unique tropical flora, here we explore the fig tree 'Ficus benjamina var. bracteata' - an ecological wonder & cultural icon!
#Taiwan
#BotanicalWonders
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
Home to unique tropical flora, here we explore the fig tree 'Ficus benjamina var. bracteata' - an ecological wonder & cultural icon!
#Taiwan
#BotanicalWonders
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
Reposted by Crystal McRae
📢Excited to see this paper published!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
With Vianney Denis, Vicky Lin Yuting, and others from the #FRElab, #IONTU, #Taiwan, we explored #coral strategies in the light of intraspecific variation!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
With Vianney Denis, Vicky Lin Yuting, and others from the #FRElab, #IONTU, #Taiwan, we explored #coral strategies in the light of intraspecific variation!
Energy acquisition and allocation strategies in scleractinian corals: insights from intraspecific trait variability - Coral Reefs
Scleractinian species consist of physiologically heterogeneous individuals that can opportunistically use different resources. Yet, intraspecific variability has often been overlooked in trait-based e...
link.springer.com
March 4, 2025 at 7:43 AM
📢Excited to see this paper published!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
With Vianney Denis, Vicky Lin Yuting, and others from the #FRElab, #IONTU, #Taiwan, we explored #coral strategies in the light of intraspecific variation!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
With Vianney Denis, Vicky Lin Yuting, and others from the #FRElab, #IONTU, #Taiwan, we explored #coral strategies in the light of intraspecific variation!
I am wrapping up interviews for these positions this week -
if you are still interested please get in touch by Feb 28th.
if you are still interested please get in touch by Feb 28th.
📢Graduate Student Opportunity!📢
The McRae Marine Ecology Lab is recruiting MSc and PhD students. Come join our team in Taiwan to investigate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Check out our website for more information: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
The McRae Marine Ecology Lab is recruiting MSc and PhD students. Come join our team in Taiwan to investigate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Check out our website for more information: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
February 25, 2025 at 7:39 AM
I am wrapping up interviews for these positions this week -
if you are still interested please get in touch by Feb 28th.
if you are still interested please get in touch by Feb 28th.
Just a quick follow up - if you are interested in tuition waivers/graduate stipends make sure to contact me before the application deadline (supervisor pre-approval is needed for eligibility). I am aiming to wrap up interviews by the end of February, so get in touch soon! #MarineLife
📢Graduate Student Opportunity!📢
The McRae Marine Ecology Lab is recruiting MSc and PhD students. Come join our team in Taiwan to investigate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Check out our website for more information: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
The McRae Marine Ecology Lab is recruiting MSc and PhD students. Come join our team in Taiwan to investigate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Check out our website for more information: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
February 11, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Just a quick follow up - if you are interested in tuition waivers/graduate stipends make sure to contact me before the application deadline (supervisor pre-approval is needed for eligibility). I am aiming to wrap up interviews by the end of February, so get in touch soon! #MarineLife
It was such a pleasure to host Dr. Wing Chan from the University of Melbourne here in Taiwan last week. We had great dives and productive lab work - it was an all round excellent kick off to our collaboration together! Can't wait for 'round 2' of our work this summer!
February 11, 2025 at 2:25 AM
It was such a pleasure to host Dr. Wing Chan from the University of Melbourne here in Taiwan last week. We had great dives and productive lab work - it was an all round excellent kick off to our collaboration together! Can't wait for 'round 2' of our work this summer!
Reposted by Crystal McRae
RESEARCH: Harnessing Community Science for #Seahorse Population Monitoring: Insights From the iSeahorse Programme in Tampa Bay. Authored by Elsa Camins, Miguel Correia and @amandavincent.bsky.social of @projectseahorse.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/.... #OpenAccess
Harnessing Community Science for Seahorse Population Monitoring: Insights From the iSeahorse Programme in Tampa Bay
Community science provides a valuable approach for population monitoring, offering benefits such as public engagement, cost-effectiveness and broad geographic coverage. Seahorses are excellent candid....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 31, 2025 at 10:33 PM
RESEARCH: Harnessing Community Science for #Seahorse Population Monitoring: Insights From the iSeahorse Programme in Tampa Bay. Authored by Elsa Camins, Miguel Correia and @amandavincent.bsky.social of @projectseahorse.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/.... #OpenAccess
Reposted by Crystal McRae
In our seventh episode, we explore the Taiwan Sugar Palm!
While (as the name suggests!) this plant has some sweet uses, to the Tsou People this palm is used for many other important purposes.
Join us to meet the plant, and the people who rely on it:
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
While (as the name suggests!) this plant has some sweet uses, to the Tsou People this palm is used for many other important purposes.
Join us to meet the plant, and the people who rely on it:
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
How the Tsou Use Taiwan Sugar Palm - Botanical Wonders
The Taiwan sugar palm is a versatile plant deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the Indigenous Tsou people of Taiwan. In this episode of Botanical Wonders, explore the unique qualities of th...
www.taiwanplus.com
January 23, 2025 at 2:28 AM
In our seventh episode, we explore the Taiwan Sugar Palm!
While (as the name suggests!) this plant has some sweet uses, to the Tsou People this palm is used for many other important purposes.
Join us to meet the plant, and the people who rely on it:
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
While (as the name suggests!) this plant has some sweet uses, to the Tsou People this palm is used for many other important purposes.
Join us to meet the plant, and the people who rely on it:
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
📢Graduate Student Opportunity!📢
The McRae Marine Ecology Lab is recruiting MSc and PhD students. Come join our team in Taiwan to investigate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Check out our website for more information: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
The McRae Marine Ecology Lab is recruiting MSc and PhD students. Come join our team in Taiwan to investigate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Check out our website for more information: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
January 22, 2025 at 7:12 AM
📢Graduate Student Opportunity!📢
The McRae Marine Ecology Lab is recruiting MSc and PhD students. Come join our team in Taiwan to investigate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Check out our website for more information: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
The McRae Marine Ecology Lab is recruiting MSc and PhD students. Come join our team in Taiwan to investigate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Check out our website for more information: mcraemarinelab.weebly.com/opportunitie...
Reposted by Crystal McRae
In our sixth episode, we explore the Taiwan date palm (Phoenix) and screw pine (Pandanus).
Join us as we venture across Taiwan visiting the western plains, southern coral forests, & volcanic Orchid Island to explore their cultural and ecological wonders!
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
Join us as we venture across Taiwan visiting the western plains, southern coral forests, & volcanic Orchid Island to explore their cultural and ecological wonders!
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
The Uses of Taiwan Date Palm & Screw Pine - Botanical Wonders
Taiwan’s coastal plants play a vital role in the ecosystems of its many islands. In this episode of Botanical Wonders, we explore two key coastal plant species: the Taiwan Date Palm and the Screw Pine...
www.taiwanplus.com
January 15, 2025 at 3:00 AM
In our sixth episode, we explore the Taiwan date palm (Phoenix) and screw pine (Pandanus).
Join us as we venture across Taiwan visiting the western plains, southern coral forests, & volcanic Orchid Island to explore their cultural and ecological wonders!
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
Join us as we venture across Taiwan visiting the western plains, southern coral forests, & volcanic Orchid Island to explore their cultural and ecological wonders!
www.taiwanplus.com/shows/nature...
Neat study on a parasitic plant in Taiwan
Parasitic plants are a unique (parasitic!!) and diverse (>4,500 species!!) group of plants that are ecologically important...but understudied.
Our three year study found that a rare parasitic plant in #Taiwan is an annual, not perennial.
#Balanophora
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Our three year study found that a rare parasitic plant in #Taiwan is an annual, not perennial.
#Balanophora
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
January 12, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Neat study on a parasitic plant in Taiwan
Reposted by Crystal McRae
New summary of 2 massive recent publications documenting the status and trends of sharks, rays, and chimaeras 🧪🦈🌎 @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2025/01/new-...
news.mongabay.com/2025/01/new-...
news.mongabay.com
January 2, 2025 at 8:34 PM
New summary of 2 massive recent publications documenting the status and trends of sharks, rays, and chimaeras 🧪🦈🌎 @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2025/01/new-...
news.mongabay.com/2025/01/new-...
Reposted by Crystal McRae
Our latest paper www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... reviews #ecosystem services from tropical marine systems, links to habitat, and maps services across the Great Barrier Reef 🪸 🧪🦑🌍 . Unlike on land, #marine ecosystem services tend to be highly clustered and localised.
A review of ecosystem service supply in tropical marine ecosystems and its relationship to habitats in the Great Barrier Reef
The benefits that people obtain from marine and coastal ecosystems are numerous and complex. Although marine ecosystem service approaches are increasing in prominence, relatively little is known ab...
www.tandfonline.com
January 2, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Our latest paper www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... reviews #ecosystem services from tropical marine systems, links to habitat, and maps services across the Great Barrier Reef 🪸 🧪🦑🌍 . Unlike on land, #marine ecosystem services tend to be highly clustered and localised.