RUI-The ecophysiological basis of the response of coral larvae and early life history stages to global climate change

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"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)."Tropical coral reefs face a suite of environmental assaults ranging from anchor damage to the effects of global climate change (GCC). The consequences are evident throughout the tropics, where many coral reefs have lost a substantial fraction of their coral cover in a few decades. Notwithstanding the importance of reducing the impacts of environmental stresses, the only means by which these ecosystems can recover (or simply persist) is through the recruitment of scleractinians, which is a function of successful larval development, delivery, settlement, metamorphosis, and post-settlement events. Despite wide recognition of the importance of these processes, there are few pertinent empirical data, and virtually none that address the mechanisms mediating the success of early coral life stages in a physical environmental varying at multiple spatio-temporal scales. The objective of this research is to complete one of the first comprehensive ecophysiological analyses of the early life stages of corals through a description of: (1) their functionality under 'normal' conditions, and (2) their response to the main drivers of GCC. These analyses will be completed for 2 species representative of a brooding life history strategy, and the experiments will be completed in two locations, one (Taiwan) that provides unrivalled experience in coral reproductive biology, and superb microcosm facilities, and the other (Moorea), with access to a relatively pristine environment, a well described ecological and oceanographic context (through the MCR-LTER), and the capacity to bring a strong biogeographic contrast to the project. The results of the study will be integrated through modeling to explore the effects of GCC on coral community structure over the next century. The broader impacts include training and research opportunities to teachers, undergraduates, and high school students in a diverse community, international training and activities for students in Taiwan and Moorea, and involvement in the Three Seas Marine Biology Program. The Three Seas Marine Biology Program provides a channel for the rapid incorporation of results in the curriculum for advanced undergraduates, opportunities for teaching and student advising by project personnel, and the potential to recruit top students into the CSUN graduate program.