Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Pomponi, Shirley A.

Thesis/Dissertation Co-Chair

Hindle, Tobin

Abstract

Reefs off the coast of Florida face threats from stressors associated with climate change which leads to phase shifts. Under rapid climate change, a clear understanding of how reefs and their benthic organisms respond is still lacking and needs to be investigated. Using in situ imagery, a sponge cell model, and long-term benthic biota surveys, the effects of climate change on reef dynamics were explored in this dissertation project. Results from the in situ imagery found that differences in spectral signatures are found between functional groups (i.e., corals, sponges, and algae) and different species from substrate. Results based on a sponge cell model and transcriptomics data have found a resilience of these sponges to the predicted thermal extremes. Results from benthic biota surveys suggested that depth and light attenuation have the largest influence on the predicted distribution of corals, sponges, and algae at Pulley Ridge. Climate change has been impacting reef benthic biota starting at the organismal scale up to the reef scale. This research demonstrates the importance of monitoring reefs at a finer scale and determining the thresholds and limits of benthic biota to projected thermal extremes to better inform resource managers to preserve these irreplaceable ecosystems.

Extent

168 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Dissertation (PhD)--Florida Atlantic University, 2023.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00014323

Format

pdf

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