Current Research and Research Interests

M.S. Thesis:

The effects of elevated pCO2 on the ecology and physiology of tropical crustose coralline algae

The process of ocean acidification is an increasing importance for marine ecosystems, and has severe implications for tropical reef communities. Coral reefs are dominated by marine calcifiers such as corals and crustose coralline algae (CCA). CCA is a critical component of reef communities in that they, 1) act as a framework species through cementation of reef fragments, 2) are a source of primary production, and 3) provide critical settlement cues for coral larvae. It is imperative that we understand the effects of altered carbonate chemistry, resulting from increased pCO2 on the physiology and ecology of tropical CCA. In order to elucidate these processes, photosynthesis, calcification and respiration of CCA will be measured after incubation in seawater treatments with varying levels of pCO2. The results of this preliminary study will be used to develop future experiments to investigate ecological implications of elevated pCO2. Additional ecological questions that will be addressed are, 1) the effect of elevated pCO2 on CCA bioerosion due to excavating herbivores, and 2) the effects of elevated pCO2 on species of CCA that are morphologically different and have different ecological roles. The results of this study will aid in understanding how tropical reef communities will respond to the imminent threat of ocean acidification.