Evaluating Coral Resiliency in Puerto Rico by Comparing In Situ and Satellite-Based Ocean Temperatures and Coral-Algae Association Dynamics

Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. In the last few decades, a combination of physical and non-physical stressors has caused significant declines in reef expanse and diversity. In light of their intrinsic and environmental and economic value, considerable effort is being made to protect and restore coral reefs. As part of this effort, it is essential to understand what types of stressors (physical and non-physical) threaten reef health as well as those factors that foster resilience among different coral communities. For the coral reefs of Puerto Rico, the 2017 hurricane season was particularly threatening. We know that reefs can recover from stress, but recovery is often inconsistent and non-uniform. It has been hypothesized that spatial irregularities in coral habitat recovery may result from variations in coral-algae symbiont community dynamics and/or microclimate variables, but data are insufficient to quantify and understand these factors. This research investigates the relationship between satellite-based sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and in situ coral habitat temperatures as observed at Cayo Enrique and Cayo Mario, in Puerto Rico, and examines seasonal changes in the algae symbionts of two species of corals (both identity and density) in these regions. This project utilizes novel in situ sea water temperature measurements acquired by sensors deployed to monitor depth profiles in southwest Puerto Rico, filling the in situ environmental data gap, and statistical analysis of these in situ temperature measurements with satellite SST to help improve NOAA's Coral Reef Watch (CRW) 5km satellite-based SST. This research seeks to further scientists' understanding of seasonal symbiont shuffling and produce models to objectively determine ideal sites for coral nurseries and outplants. This proposed dissertation research will support further understanding of how temperature and the symbiont community relate to coral habitat resilience.