EAGER: Building networks and study systems to advance research on the biology of Pacific corals

EAGER：建立网络和研究系统以推进太平洋珊瑚生物学研究该EAGER奖为建立一个国际和多学科研究人员网络提供资金，以研究珊瑚礁生物学及其对全球气候变化的适应能力。这项研究还将在实验室和实地进行试点和概念证明实验，以便更好地了解珊瑚礁对不断变化的环境的脆弱性以及保护珊瑚礁的措施。​该项目的成果，包括对研究假设的检验和观点的分享，有望在生物学和生态学领域带来革命性的成果。这项拟议的活动涉及一个对全球环境卫生具有重要影响的重要研究领域。卓有成效的合作和更广泛的珊瑚礁研究人员国际网络的潜力应该产生宝贵的利益。除了科学成果之外，许多年轻研究人员（包括博士后和本科生）的参与也将带来好处，他们将前往亚洲参与这项开创性的研究。从更广泛的意义上说，更好地了解珊瑚礁的恢复能力和当地的生态现象，应该有助于找到修复和控制珊瑚礁破坏的方法，这是一个严重的环境问题。建立东亚珊瑚礁联盟可能有助于拯救关键的珊瑚礁种群。

EAGER: Building Networks and Study Systems to Advance Research on the Biology of Pacific Corals This EAGER award provides funding to develop an international and multidisciplinary network of researchers to study the biology of coral reefs and their resilience relative to global climate change. This study will also undertake pilot and proof-of-concept experiments, both in the laboratory and in the field, to provide better understanding of the vulnerability of coral reefs to changing environment and measures for their protection. A team of researchers from Oregon State University, the University of Hawaii, and Vassar College will make trips to research sites both in Taiwan, at their National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, and in China, at their Tropical Biological Research Station in Sanya, to engage with coral-reef researchers and to lay the groundwork for on-going collaborations. The outcomes of this project, including the testing of research hypotheses and sharing of views, promise to lead to transformative results, both in biology and ecology.This proposed activity addresses an important research area that has important implications for global environmental health. The potential for fruitful collaborations and a broader international network of coral-reef researchers should produce valuable benefits. In addition to the scientific outcomes, benefits will derive from the engagement of a number of young researchers, both post-doctoral fellows and undergraduates, who will travel to Asia and participate in this groundbreaking research. In a broader sense, better understanding of reef resilience and local ecological phenomena should lead to methods for remediation and control of reef destruction, a serious environmental problem. The establishment of an East Asia Coral Reef Alliance could be instrumental in saving critical reef populations.