The Climate-Sustainability Lecture Series, hosted by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, will explore how climate change may alter coral dispersal patterns and connectivity on the majority of reefs worldwide, as well as the local impacts and management initiatives.
“Coral Dispersal Dynamics: New Insights into Patterns of Connectivity”
Speaker: Joana Figueiredo, Ph.D., assistant professor, NSU’s Oceanographic Center
Monday, Nov. 10
Noon–1:00 p.m.
Mailman-Hollywood Building, Second Floor Auditorium
Figueiredo’s research aims to increase understanding of the environmental factors that are hampering the recovery rate of coral populations and to study how recovery rates can be bolstered by management actions.
Understanding current patterns of connectivity among populations of corals and predicting how these patterns will change in response to climate change is paramount for the design of effective marine reserve networks. However, processes affecting coral larval dispersal are not well understood and are likely to be affected by ocean warming.
Figueiredo uses a combination of laboratory experiments and population models to predict climate change-induced patterns of dispersal and connectivity in corals. The models suggest that climate change will alter coral dispersal patterns and connectivity on the majority of reefs around the world, making them more susceptible to local impacts. This understanding increases the potential for beneficial local management initiatives.
About the Lecture Series
The Climate-Sustainability Lecture Series highlights understanding of the science, technology, and policies relating to climate change and sustainable development. Experts in related fields from within NSU and other institutions are the featured speakers. The series provides faculty members and students the opportunity to discuss the scientific, technological, social, and policy aspects of sustainability-related issues.
For more information, contact Song Gao, Ph.D., associate professor at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, at (954) 262-8388.