VI-EPSCoR: RII: Building Research Strength in the US Virgin Islands

目标：该研究基础设施改善奖(RII)旨在扩大S大学海洋与环境研究卓越中心的核心设施。在这个中心，科学家们调查海洋和沿海水域之间的联系；陆地-海洋界面的生物和地球物理联系；以及它们对珊瑚礁生态系统的潜在影响。具体地说，这个项目将调查增加或减少珊瑚礁的因素？对环境压力的耐受性，以更好地理解生态弹性。维尔京群岛人民严重依赖加勒比沿海资源维持生计，并对调查结果感到震惊，调查结果显示，近70%的珊瑚礁受到沿海开发、污染、沉积和过度捕捞的威胁。海洋温度上升、海洋酸化和管理不力进一步增加了对加勒比海珊瑚礁的威胁。依赖于周围沿海水域和珊瑚礁生态系统的旅游(经济引擎)、交通、食物和娱乐，研究重点是加勒比珊瑚礁的生物复杂性。加勒比海沿岸生态系统综合研究计划中已发展了三个研究项目：1)进化和生态模式和过程小组将调查威胁珊瑚礁生态系统的众多过程；2)海洋和海岸过程小组将为根据现场数据和海洋模型解释生物过程提供物质基础；3)环境分析和管理小组将解决沿海生态系统中自然和人类互动之间的差距和社会经济对成功自然资源管理的潜在重要性。该项目将调查增加或减少珊瑚礁的因素？S对环境压力的耐受性和珊瑚礁？S对过渡到交替生态状态的抵抗力。预期的项目成果包括更好地了解自然和人为干扰如何影响生态模式和过程。更广泛的影响研究成果将为决策者提供自然资源管理和空间规划方面的信息，并将增进人类和海洋健康。鉴于该地区珊瑚礁死亡的趋势及其对该地区经济的潜在负面影响，迫切需要这一信息。研究结果可能适用于加勒比以外的区域。

Goals: This Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) award seeks to build upon prior RII-supported efforts to expand the core facilities of the University?s Center of Excellence in Marine and Environmental Studies. At this center, scientists investigate the connections between ocean and coastal waters; the biological and geophysical linkages of the land-sea interface; and their potential impact on coral reef ecosystems. Specifically, this project will investigate the factors that enhance or reduce coral reefs? tolerance to environmental stress to better understand ecological resilience. The people of the Virgin Islands rely heavily on Caribbean coastal resources for subsistence, and are alarmed by findings that indicate that nearly 70% of the coral reefs are threatened by costal development, pollution, sedimentation, and over-fishing. Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification and ineffective management add further threats to Caribbean coral reefs.Project Major Foci: Because of the US Virgin Islands? reliance on the surrounding coastal waters and coral reef ecosystems for tourism (economic engine), transportation, food and recreation, the research focus is Biocomplexity in Caribbean Coral Reefs. Three research projects have been developed into the Integrated Caribbean Coastal Ecosystem Research Plan: 1) Evolutionary and Ecological Patterns and Processes team will investigate the numerous processes that threaten coral reef ecosystems; 2) Ocean and Coastal Processes team will provide the physical foundation for interpreting biological processes based upon field data and ocean modeling; and 3) Environmental Analysis and Management team will address the gap between physical and human interactions in coastal ecosystems and the underlying importance of socio-economics on successful natural resource management.Intellectual MeritThe project will investigate factors that enhance or reduce a coral reef?s tolerance to environmental stress and the coral reef?s resistance to transitions to alternate ecological states. Anticipated project outcomes include a better understanding of how ecological patterns and processes are influenced by natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Broader ImpactsThe research outcomes will inform decision-makers on natural resource management and spatial planning and will enhance human and ocean health. There is an urgent need for this information given the trends on coral reef mortality in the region and the potential negative impact to the region?s economy. Research results may be applicable to regions outside the Caribbean.