Date of Award
Summer 7-28-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
August 2026
Department
Biological Sciences
College Granting Degree
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department Granting Degree
Biological Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Joshua D. Voss
Abstract
Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and duration, with widespread bleaching events and mortality impacts observed on Florida’s Coral Reef. However, thermal bleaching thresholds for corals in Southeast Florida are not well established, limiting the ability to forecast or manage response to thermal stress events in the region. This study was designed to establish bleaching thresholds for Montastraea cavernosa, a reef-building stony coral, in Southeast Florida. Ex-situ experiments were conducted where triplicate M. cavernosa fragments of multiple genotypes were exposed to acute thermal stress or held at intermediate temperatures to simulate chronic stress. Thermal performance curves based on photosynthetic efficiency were modeled to determine physiological bleaching thresholds, which differed between acute and chronic thermal stress exposures. Overall, M. cavernosa experienced a 30% decline in photosynthetic efficiency (or effective dose, ED30), at 3.86 experimental degree heating weeks (eDHW) under acute stress and 4.79 eDHW under chronic stress. There were significant differences in ED30 values across M. cavernosa genotypes. Experimental colonies typically bleached at ~4 eDHW, which is consistent with global thermal thresholds according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Future studies should investigate the acclimatization potential of M. cavernosa in Southeast Florida. If acclimatization and adaptation are not possible, M. cavernosa populations in Southeast Florida may face widespread bleaching and mortality under future ocean conditions. This research has implications for predicting future bleaching events, determining viability of M. cavernosa for restoration, and informing key recommendations in future management plans.
Recommended Citation
Faris, Olivia, "ESTABLISHING THERMAL BLEACHING THRESHOLDS FOR MONTASTRAEA CAVERNOSA ON FLORIDA’S CORAL REEF" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 373.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/373