Scientists will conduct an assessment of mesophotic coral ecosystems' response and resilience to temperature shifts projected under future climate change. These coral reef communities are located at depths of 30m to 150m in tropical regions.
Project Overview
The five-year project will commence in February 2026, focusing on deeper coral reef communities in the Indian Ocean. Researchers will employ various methods to assess these ecosystems' vulnerability to climate change. In addition to assessing threats, the project aims to inform strategies for the protection of these reefs.
Participants and Funding
The University of Plymouth is leading the project, with a core team also including experts from Imperial College London in coral reef biodiversity and specialists in numerical modelling from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML). The Natural Environment Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, is supporting the project with a grant of £3.7 million.
Research Context
Previous work by University of Plymouth researchers in the Indian Ocean identified deep evidence of coral reef bleaching. However, existing knowledge gaps persist regarding the diversity, distribution, environmental conditions, and vulnerability of deeper coral ecosystems.