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

目标：这个研究基础设施改善（RII）奖旨在建立在之前的RII支持的努力，以扩大大学的核心设施？海洋与环境研究卓越中心。在这个中心，科学家们研究海洋和沿海水域之间的联系；陆海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，这个项目将调查珊瑚礁增强或减少的因素。对环境压力的耐受性更好地理解生态弹性。维尔京群岛的居民严重依赖加勒比海沿岸资源维持生计，他们对近70%的珊瑚礁受到沿海开发、污染、沉积和过度捕捞的威胁感到震惊。海水温度上升、海洋酸化和管理不力进一步威胁着加勒比海的珊瑚礁。项目重点：因为美属维尔京群岛？加勒比海珊瑚礁的生物复杂性研究主要集中在加勒比海沿岸水域和珊瑚礁生态系统对旅游（经济引擎）、交通、食物和娱乐的依赖上。加勒比海岸生态系统综合研究计划已发展了三个研究项目：1)进化和生态模式和进程小组将调查威胁珊瑚礁生态系统的众多过程；2)海洋和海岸过程团队将根据野外数据和海洋模型为解释生物过程提供物理基础；3)环境分析和管理团队将解决沿海生态系统中物理和人类相互作用之间的差距，以及社会经济学对成功的自然资源管理的潜在重要性。该项目将调查增强或削弱珊瑚礁的因素。对环境压力和珊瑚礁的耐受力？S对过渡到交替生态状态的抗性。预期的项目成果包括更好地了解生态格局和进程如何受到自然和人为干扰的影响。更广泛的影响研究成果将为决策者提供有关自然资源管理和空间规划的信息，并将增进人类和海洋健康。鉴于该区域珊瑚礁死亡率的趋势及其对该区域的潜在负面影响，迫切需要这方面的资料。年代的经济。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.