FAU HBOI Research on Mesophotic Coral Reefs
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In shallow waters (< 20 m) of the Caribbean Region, a coral decline of 80% over the last 30 years has been documented. Mesophotic reefs deeper than 30 m are a largely unknown frontier and appear to be healthier than shallow water reefs. Mesophotic reef sites are habitats for commercially important fish species and potential sources of coral larvae for recovery of the shallower reef areas. The overall scope of work envisioned for the mesophotic reef project reflects the need to conduct broad surveys to understand the large scale dimensions of mesophotic reefs (e.g. structure, biodiversity and biogeography, geographic connectivity, etc.) coupled with detailed work at selected sites to understand the functioning of mesophotic reefs (e.g., connectivity to shallow reefs, dynamics and life histories, effects of anthropogenic stress and climate change, historical development and their support of fisheries resources and endangered species). The ultimate goal of this project is to characterize mesophotic reef ecosystems across a large spatial scale, ranging across the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Southeastern U.S. to provide comprehensive examination of mesophotic communities of the western Atlantic at a very broad scale. Our research objectives include:
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Joshua Voss and Phil Santos return from a mesophotic dive in the JSL II
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2. Determining connectivity between MCEs and shallow reefs; e.g., potential for exchange between deep and
shallow areas, specifically including whether deep reefs act as refugia for species threatened in shallow reef
environments. Likewise, assessments at population genetics across broad spatial scales will determine
horizontal connectivity.
3. Assessing vulnerability of MCEs to anthropogenic and natural stressors.
4. Archiving and restoring historical videotapes and photographs documenting mesophotic and deepwater
reef habitat and fauna from expeditions by HBOI’s scientists since 1976 throughout the Caribbean,
Bahamas and southeastern U.S.
5. Evaluating mesophotic coral phenotypic plasticity through reciprocal transplant experiments.
shallow areas, specifically including whether deep reefs act as refugia for species threatened in shallow reef
environments. Likewise, assessments at population genetics across broad spatial scales will determine
horizontal connectivity.
3. Assessing vulnerability of MCEs to anthropogenic and natural stressors.
4. Archiving and restoring historical videotapes and photographs documenting mesophotic and deepwater
reef habitat and fauna from expeditions by HBOI’s scientists since 1976 throughout the Caribbean,
Bahamas and southeastern U.S.
5. Evaluating mesophotic coral phenotypic plasticity through reciprocal transplant experiments.
