Graduate Studies Bulletin
Announcement
Masters Thesis Proposal
Seminar
The
Effects of Anthropogenic Influence, Tidal Flux, and Colony Morphology on Coral
Diseases in Reefs of the Florida Keys and
the
Bahamas’ Exuma Chain
By
Joshua Voss
Abstract
The
increase in the number of coral diseases and the expansion of their ranges in
the past 20-25 years pose serious threats to the health of coral reef
ecosystems worldwide. However, thus far
little is known about coral epizootiology or the conditions that promote coral
infection. Of the 29 described coral
diseases and syndromes only five have been well characterized. While some published studies provide data on
the distribution of these diseases, few studies have addressed the factors that
drive the distributions. This research
will examine specifically the impacts of anthropogenic stress, colony
morphology, flow dynamics, and other environmental factors (nutrients,
temperature, salinity, etc.) on coral disease prevalence and distribution in
Caribbean coral reefs. The comparative
study will utilize repeated surveys conducted on both relatively pristine reefs
near Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas and those heavily impacted by anthropogenic
sources in the Florida Keys. This
research will provide key information to help define the role of coral diseases
in reef ecology that is necessary to develop viable strategies for the
management of coral reef ecosystems worldwide.
Date:
May 2, 2002 Department:
Biological Sciences
Time:
2:00 PM Major
Professor: Dr. Laurie Richardson
Place:
University Park, WC 130