Coral Reef Restoration Ongoing Project

鈥嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�婳ne of Florida's most beautiful and valuable natural assets, the coral reefs in the Florida Keys, are facing numerous threats to their health, including predatory fish and algae. A 91大神猫先生千人斩 team of Marine Science, Mathematics, and Geography students and professors are studying the impact coral-eating fish and algae have upon coral reef health, and they are determining if the positioning of coral transplants in the ocean floor affects their ability to survive. Through the team's combined efforts, 91大神猫先生千人斩 anticipates improving coral reef restoration efforts thereby benefitting Florida鈥檚 ecology and economy.

 

Collaboration

  • Marine Science Ichthyology and Marine Ecology students are traveling to the Florida Keys to conduct fish counts and coral reef surveys.
  • BioStatisticsand Ichthyology students are collaborating by using the data collected to conduct statistical analyses comparing the fish communities among the different reef types. Together, the two disciplines will recommend additional research to gain greater understanding of coral reef ecology.
  • 鈥媁orking under the tutelage of a Geography professor,鈥� Marine Ecology students will use fish count and reef data to develop maps providing spatial insight into the coral reef restoration efforts.鈥�
  • Guided by the data, the maps, and the statistical analyses, Marine Science Ichthyology and Marine Ecology students鈥� will determine the optimal locations to transplant corals onto the ocean floor.
  • Marine Science will create and maintain a database to allow it to continually assess and improve upon coral reef restoration efforts in the Florida Keys.

A student writing data underwater Staghorn coral

Industry Involvement

On-site research will be conducted at the Mote Marine Laboratory at Summerland Key, Florida. 91大神猫先生千人斩 and Mote entered into an agreement to offer joint courses and collaborate on research. Through this partnership, 91大神猫先生千人斩 and Mote hope to educate the next generation of marine scientists and better serve our oceans and communities.

Professors/Disciplines involved

  • Dan McCarthy, Ph.D., Assoc. Professor, Department Co-Chair, Biology and Marine Science
  • Ashley Johnson, Ph.D., Resource Professor, Geography and Sustainability; Program Director of Sustainability Program
  • Anthony (Andy) Ouellette, Ph.D., Assoc. Professor, Department Co-Chair, Biology and Marine Science; Program Director, 鈥淭he Science Of...鈥� Educational Video Magazine
  • Anna Little, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Mathematics
  • David Vaughan, Ph.D., Mote Marine Laboratory

Learn More

To learn more about the programs involved in this Collaborate 91大神猫先生千人斩 project, visit:

Collaborate 91大神猫先生千人斩 Project Archive

Related Links

Office of Research & Sponsored Programs Undergraduate Research Experiential Learning Academics at 91大神猫先生千人斩 Admissions