Richard B. Gump South Pacific Research Station

16 Jun, 08 AM - 30 Jul, 11 PM

Coral reefs face increased pressures from global- and local-scale anthropogenic stressors. Coral bleaching events, a disruption of coral-algal symbiosis to short-term high temperature anomalies (i.e. marine heat waves), have been a main driver of coral reef decline over the last century and have caused shifts in community composition and ecosystem functioning. Furthermore, local stressors, such as nutrient pollution, could make corals more vulnerable to global climate change by suppressing carbonate productivity and reducing their photosynthetic capacity. Therefore, a better understanding of the ecological ramifications of thermal anomalies on coral reef ecosystems is necessary. Using respirometry to determine physiological response of corals in low and elevated nutrient sites in the Pacific (Moorea, French Polynesia), we will test coral performance across a range of temperatures. Understanding the mechanisms influencing coral physiological dynamics will provide insight into the sensitivity of coral reef ecosystems, assisting in forecasting future reef functioning. These data will be the first from a Moorea Coral Reef Long-Term Ecological Research (MCR LTER) study testing the effect of elevated nutrients on coral thermal tolerance for multiple physiological responses, and will improve our understanding of how local-scale anthropogenic stressors affect coral response to global climate change and marine heat waves.

Visit #60087 @Richard B. Gump South Pacific Research Station

Approved

Under Project # 41909 | Research

Nutrients and Coral Thermal Tolerance

graduate_student - California State University (CSU), Northridge

Reservation Members(s)

Nyssa Silbiger Jun 16 - 21, 2019 (6 days)
Danielle Barnas Jun 24 - Jul 28, 2019 (35 days)
Danielle Becker Jun 16 - Jul 30, 2019 (45 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Bed in shared room 1 Jun 16 - 22, 2019
Bed in shared room 1 Jun 16 - Jul 31, 2019
Bed in shared room 1 Jun 24 - Jul 29, 2019