This project aims to restore the ecological function of hard-bottom regions in the Florida Keys by reestablishing sponge communities complexity and ecological function. The restoration will focus on enhancing habitat complexity and trophic interactions, which are crucial for supporting diverse marine life and maintaining essential fish habitats. This restoration is expected to benefit economically and ecologically important species by providing essential fish habitat and supporting trophic webs.
This project investigates the latitudinal influence on the germination ecology and temperature stress tolerance of sea oats, a critical species for coastal dune stabilization. By understanding ecotypic differences, the research aims to inform seed collection and propagation practices in response to climate change.
This project aims to develop and promote effective release strategies for the Goliath grouper to mitigate barotrauma and improve survival rates in recreational fisheries. By collaborating with anglers and utilizing acoustic telemetry, the project will establish best practices for releasing large reef fish and disseminate these findings to stakeholders.
The project investigated the prevalence and impact of the PaV1 virus in Florida’s spiny lobster fishery, revealing that adult lobsters can carry the virus without visible symptoms and that diseased lobsters in traps deter healthy ones. These findings are crucial for developing management strategies to control the spread of the virus and sustain the fishery.
The project aims to commercialize the sunray venus clam by enhancing hatchery capacity through optimized conditioning and spawning techniques, genetic analysis, and industry collaboration. This initiative is expected to diversify the shellfish aquaculture industry, creating jobs and providing a sustainable seafood supply.
This project evaluates the effectiveness of resilience planning in affordable housing by developing models and analyzing risks in the Tampa Bay area. It aims to improve planning strategies and engage local stakeholders to ensure the resilience of housing infrastructure.
The project investigates the impact of sea-level rise on Everglades peat marshes, focusing on salinity thresholds that lead to peat collapse. It combines experimental data with modeling to inform water management strategies and predict landscape changes under future SLR scenarios.
This project develops smartphone-enabled qPCR technology to enhance the detection and monitoring of harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. By integrating this technology into citizen science programs, it aims to improve data accuracy and timeliness, contributing to better management and mitigation of red tide impacts.
This project focuses on restoring oyster habitats in Apalachicola Bay to promote sustainable oyster populations and fisheries. It integrates community involvement and scientific research to enhance restoration techniques and management practices.
The project focuses on understanding the dynamics of coral reef fish assemblages in South Florida by developing a spatially explicit model that incorporates recreational fisher behavior. This model will help in examining the impacts of different management scenarios on the fishery ecosystem.
