Author Type

Undergraduate Student

Date of Award

Spring 4-28-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

July 2026

College Granting Degree

Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Andia Chaves Fonnegra

Abstract

As climate change decimates coral populations, excavating sponges are becoming prominent in some reefs as critical bioeroders. This thesis aims to assess ecological succession patterns and population demographics of the excavating sponge Cliona delitrix on San Andrés, Colombia reefs over 20 years. Population growth was quantified. Growth was constant, with recruits replacing dead mature sponges at an equal rate. A frequency analysis was run to assess the successor prevalence per substratum. On live corals, succession after C. delitrix death is dominated by a diverse community of organisms, including macroalgae, turf algae, sponges, calcareous algae, and others. Understanding reefs as dynamic entities with succession patterns and populations not always dominated by coral better prepares us for embracing their next phase as sea surface temperatures (SSTs) rise.

Download

Share

COinS