Coral Reef Biology

Dr. Charles Birkeland - coral reef recovery from damage by human activities (overfishing and nutrient input), and interactions of crustose coralline algae, coral recruitment and herbivorous fishes on the process of recovery; coral reef resource management (e.g., Marine Protected Areas); the affect of biological characteristics and life histories of coral-reef species and ecosystem processes.

Dr. Brian Bowen - phylogeography and conservation genetics of marine vertebrates.

Dr. Paul Jokiel - the effects of the physical parameters on coral reef ecosystems, such as light (spectrum, intensity and modulation), temperature, water motion, salinity, various pollutants, sedimentation and nutrients; the biogeography and dispersal of reef organisms, reef structure and function, and various biological dimensions such as competition and genetic structure.

Dr. Robert Kinzie - the symbiosis between reef building corals and their symbiotic algae; the photobiology of reef corals with particular emphasis of ultraviolet radiation.

Dr. John Stimson - the operation of the zooxanthellae--coral mutualism; the influence of the interactions between corals and other organisms on the diversity within coral communities; the process of succession in coral communities; and the growth rates and morphology of corals.

Dr. Robert Toonen - evolution of larval life history modes, patterns and consequences of larval dispersal and settlement cues for marine species; phylogeography and population structure in marine invertebrates; quantifying patterns of connectivity and distribution of genetic structure for the purpose of designing marine protected areas (MPAs); stock structure and management of fisheries species; the ecology, biogeography and impact of invasive marine species on Hawaii's coral reef communities.

see also Aquatic Ecology for research conducted on reef-associated communities.