Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program

 

First Advisor

Dr. David Harwood

Second Advisor

Dr. Cindy Laron-Miller

Date of this Version

Spring 5-13-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

Environmental Studies Undergraduate Student Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2024

Abstract

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems to coastal communities and the world’s oceans. They support other organisms, protect shorelines, and benefit coastal economies through fishing and recreation. Today, coral reefs face many threats, including ocean acidification, bleaching due to increased ocean temperatures, and disease. These threats are typically heightened during El Niño events across the globe. With a focus on the Florida Reef, these data encompass three key regions (Southeastern Florida, The Florida Keys, and Dry Tortugas) over the years 2014, 2016 (an El Niño event), and 2018. As 2024 is interpreted to be an El Niño year, this study predicts the species best suited to survive warmer ocean conditions. The bleaching and disease percentages of different coral species were plotted and compared in addition to coral mortality. The coral data were compared to environmental conditions (sea surface temperature and marine water pH) within each region to determine what factors have the greatest impact on coral survival, bleaching, and disease. The null hypothesis found that El Niño does not have an outstanding impact on the health of the Florida Reef. The species most resilient to these conditions are Montastrea cavernosa, Colpophylia natans, and Agaricia agaricites. Identifying species that are most resilient is a matter of growing importance as coral restoration efforts work towards rebuilding coral reefs, especially with the harsh conditions they will continue to face as our world continues to warm into the next century

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