Coral Ecology

Our research focuses on the role of natural environmental variability. In particular, we want to understand how this variability affects the performance and health of corals. We are investigating whether it can provide protection during extreme environmental stress events such as heat waves, prevent severe damage to the organisms, and make them more resilient to future climate change—or whether it pushes the corals closer to their environmental limits. For example, we are studying coral reefs in the Andaman Sea, where large-amplitude internal waves protected the corals during a severe bleaching event and made them more resilient to thermal stress. We are also comparing locations within a reef where conditions are more or less extreme (e.g., reef crest vs. reef slope) to better understand how natural conditions enable corals to adapt to extremes. Furthermore, we have studied cold-water corals outside their comfort zone in the shallow coastal waters of Patagonia (Chile), where they are exposed to significant environmental fluctuations. The goal is to gain a better understanding of these aspects and locations and to incorporate this knowledge—along with adapted coral populations—into current protection, conservation, and restoration measures.

Back