Research Topics

Our research revolves around the concept of connected metapopulations. Metapopulations are networks of connected sub-populations. But what connects them? For many marine organisms, these sub-populations are connected by larvae dispersing on ocean currents. In others, adult individuals may move between populations. How connected a metapopulation is – or will be in the future – can determine whether or not it will persist in time and space. We're interested in the application of metapopulation theory to the study and conservation of marine and coastal organisms, and in developing a metapopulation theory of the coastal ocean. Among many ongoing projects, we have an NSF-funded project modeling the effects of climate change on the dispersal and persistence of Florida’s stone crab.

Ecological & simulation modeling

Marine larvae are tiny, and notoriously difficult to keep track of. How do we know where larvae from one reef will end up? How do we know where adults on another reef came from? What proportion of adults were born and live in the same place? One way to tackle this complicated set of questions is through larval dispersal modeling. We integrate organismal and larval biology with hydrodynamic models, and use Lagrangian particle tracking to develop probabilities of dispersal and connectivity between habitats.

Animal reproductive & larval biology

For marine organisms that disperse as larvae, we have an opportunity to inform connectivity and metapopulation modeling by looking at  adult reproductive strategy and fecundity, and larval biology and behaviors. For example, we collect coral tissues and utilize reproductive histology and microscopy to investigate the development of gametes in corals in different environments. We also measure minute behaviors of marine larvae throughout development to inform our biophysical modeling.

Emergent coral disease

The Seascape Ecology Lab is a part of an NSF EEID-funded effort to understand the transmission and spread of a Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease in the US Virgin Islands, as well as in Florida with support from Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection. We are looking at multi-species disease signs in coral tissues, and modeling the spread of this disease through coral metacommunities. Previous funding has included three years of support from the Louisiana State Board of Regents to integrate models of coral reproduction, disease, and metapopulation persistence, and NSF RAPID support.

Coral reefs & refugia

Refuges, or refugia, are habitats that are consistently removed from a stress or perturbation. In the case of coral reefs, deeper mesophotic reefs may be one example. Their depth and distance from shore allows corals and associated plants and animals to live in slightly cooler, darker, and less polluted water. But in order for refuges to support metapopulation persistence, connectivity - or the exchange of larvae - must occur at levels that exceeds extinction rates. We're interested in the characterization and mapping of reef refugia, how environmental conditions on mesophotic reefs affects the physiology of reef organisms, and population and community dynamics in these under-explored ecosystems.

Marine reserve design

Through a partnership with Rare’s Fish Forever Initiative (NGO), the Seascape Ecology Lab aids in the design of equitable and fishable marine managed areas in the Philippines, Mozambique, Indonesia, and Central America.