Archive: Science Update: The Grand Challenge of Coral Reef Sustainability, March 7, 2024

Even optimistic climate scenarios predict catastrophic consequences for coral reef ecosystems by 2100. Understanding how reef connectivity, biodiversity and resilience are shaped by climate variability would improve chances to establish sustainable management practices. 

In this work, machine learning algorithms and physical intuition are applied to assess connectivity and bleaching recovery potential in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Coral Triangle and surrounding oceans. Furthermore, the impacts of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on biodiversity and resilience are quantified in both ocean basins.  Through machine learning the outstanding biodiversity of the Coral Triangle, its evolution and the increase of species richness are contextualized through geological times, while offering new hope for monitoring its future. At the same time, we will discuss the fragility of the Gulf of Mexico system and identify areas in the Gulf that should be carefully monitored and protected.

All individuals receive a certificate of participation and 100 NSTA activity points for attending the live seminar and completing the end-of-program survey. A certificate of participation is not awarded for watching the recorded version of the program.

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View the Archive Video

To view the presentation slides from the web seminar and related resources, visit the resource collection. Continue discussing this topic in the community forums.

Below are comments from individuals who attended the seminar:

  • "Great presentation and excellent connection between computer science and climate science! Finding interdisciplinary solutions like this is incredible and so interesting!"
  • "I found it interesting to learn about the differences in Pacific and Atlantic corals and how those differences impact their current status. I would like to learn more about the ecoregions."
  • "It was very interesting how they are using data already available to create models and predictions of coral reef recovery using algorithms."
  • "The webinar was really useful in understanding how coral reefs are affected by climate change."

A certificate of attendance was deposited into participants' account page for completing the evaluation form at the end of the program.

For more information contact: [email protected]

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