Modelling the net growth of coral reefs under climate change: the neglected role of bio-eroding sponges (Old ID 21423)

Chief Investigator

The project will investigate the hypothesis that under climate change, sponges will erode coral reefs at a faster rate than corals can form reefs. If true, sponge bioerosion may make it more difficult for corals to sustain reefs under climate change. The project will use controlled experiments to determine how sponge reproduction and fitness are affected by predicted climate change conditions. These data will then be used to develop models to predict sponge fitness, sponge-coral competition, reef erosion patterns, and overall reef resilience under climate change scenarios.

01 Jan 2014 - 31 Dec 2017

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