USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
The Coral Reef Ecology lab has a long-standing relationship with the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center. Each year since 2005, we have combined our expertise in geology and marine biology to collaborate on numerous lab and field projects. Our South Moloka‘i Coral Reef Investigations culminated in numerous publications and a Marine Atlas of South Moloka‘i from 2005-2007. These included USGS Scientific Investigations Reports and peer reviewed journal articles involving a model for wave control on coral breakage and species distribution, the status of the reef at selected sites, reef corals and the coral reefs, reef fish distributions, and manipulative field experiments determining coral response to resuspended sediments.
In 2008-2009 we collaborated on a project involving sedimentation on coral reefs in Hanalei Bay, Kaua‘i and nutrient input in Kahekili, Maui. From 2010-2011 we investigated the impact of land derived sediment on the coral ecosystem of Pelekane Bay on the island of Hawai‘i. We have partnered to investigate sedimentation on Hawaiian Coral Reefs by synthesizing available data and examining the effects of sediment on coral larvae from 2012 through 2015. In 2017, we combined our teams at a remote location at Pila‘a on Kaua‘i to determine the recovery of a reef following a devastating sediment event. This joint effort includes coral coring to look at historical impacts and resurveys to document recovery. We have currently joined forces to determine the tolerances of Hawaiian corals to sedimentation using respirometry chambers. We look forward to future project alliances.
Division of Aquatic Resources Aquatic Invasive Species Program
Our lab has worked on several projects in the past with this team. We are currently teaming up to determine the recovery of a reef system following habitat restoration efforts in the He‘eia watershed on O‘ahu. Our teams conduct 24 surveys quarterly and are tracking currents across the reef flat fronting He‘eia fishpond. We will be examining any spatial or temporal changes in the sediment depth and composition and fish and benthic populations. We continue to combine efforts to investigate bleaching and mortality impacts and have a joint long-term monitoring project at three sites in Kāne‘ohe Bay. We also work closely on the monitoring efforts on Kaua‘i.
Division of Aquatic Resources Monitoring Programs
The Coral Reef Ecology lab has had an established relationship with the Maui Monitoring team since the late 1990’s beginning with DAR/CRAMP sites and later conducting fieldwork at Kahekili. More recently they have been supporting the monitoring efforts on Kaua‘i alongside the Aquatic Invasive Species team and the O‘ahu Monitoring Program team at Hā‘ena, Hanalei, and Pila‘a.
Dr. Andreas Andersson
Associate Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Andersson’s general research interest deals with global environmental change owing to both natural and anthropogenic processes, and the subsequent effects on the function, role, and cycling of carbon in marine environments. His current research is mainly concerned with ocean acidification in coral reefs and in near-shore coastal environments. The aim of his current research attempts to address the relative importance and control of seawater CO2chemistry and environmental parameters (e.g., light, temperature, nutrients, flow-regime) on reef biogeochemical processes and the interactions between physics, chemistry, and biology. He utilize’s chemical measurements of seawater at different spatial and temporal scales to “take the pulse” of a given reef system in order to monitor its biogeochemical function and performance. This is complemented with controlled experiments in aquaria and mesocosms as well as numerical model simulations. Andersson also studies CaCO3dissolution, and especially the susceptibility and rates of dissolution of Mg-calcite mineral phases to changing seawater CO2 chemistry.
Dr. Chris Jury
Dr. Janie Wulff
Dr. Wulff studies the ecology of sponges and the organisms with which they interact as mutualistic partners, competitors, and prey, especially in coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. I have been focusing on several conceptual issues that are especially intriguing for sponges: a) ecology and evolution of mutualisms; b) biogeographic and habitat patterns of diversity and abundance, and how these are influenced by interactions and life histories; and c) effects of physical disturbance and pathogens on population and community dynamics, focusing especially on the importance of different growth forms and life histories. Her primary approaches to research are experimental manipulations in the field, combined with biogeographic comparisons; and most of her field work is in Belize, Panama, and the Florida Keys.