Degradation in a context of climate change: the role of recovery, trophic ecology and symbiotic interactions in coral reef

• Grant number: 24/21739-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Miguel Mies
• Grantee: Beatriz Martins Corazza
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Coral reefs play an essential role in supporting marine biodiversity and contributing tohuman well-being, but they face increasing threats, such as thermal stress caused byrising global temperatures and heatwaves, often leading to bleaching events and asignificant loss of coral cover. This decline can severely impact associated biodiversityand potentially worsen the conservation status of reef species. Furthermore, stressconditions can impair critical recovery processes, such as recruitment and colonygrowth. However, certain ecological traits, such as heterotrophic capacity andinteractions with other organisms, may help enhance coral resilience. Therefore, thisproject aims to address four main knowledge gaps: (i) assess the deterioration of reefspecies conservation status over time, using data from the IUCN Red List; (ii) examinethe potential increase in coral cover recovery time through a comprehensive literaturereview; (iii) investigate the heterotrophic feeding preferences of the endemic speciesMussismilia hispida through experimental exposure to various food items; and (iv)elucidate the nature of the interaction between Emblemariopsis signifer and M.hispida-in situ, by analyzing fish substrate preferences, and ex situ, by determiningwhether M. hispida feeds on fish feces. This study is expected to document theprogressive degradation of reef environments over time, while highlighting the role oftrophic functions and ecological interactions in enhancing reef resilience againstincreasingly intense, frequent, and prolonged climate stressors. Furthermore, thesefindings aim to inform public policies directed at reef conservation and provide baselineinformation on endemic species in Brazil.