Coral Reefs

[Translate to English:] Kaltwasserkoralle Desmophyllum dianthus
cold water coral Desmophyllum dianthus (Photo: Carin Jantzen (SECORE))

The focus is on studies of the diversity and dynamics of coral reefs. Expeditions and laboratory experiments on the distribution, growth and stress resistance of important stony coral species contribute to the understanding of current changes in biodiversity, structure and functionality of coral reefs

Corals provide the foundation for the most diverse, but also the most endangered marine animal forests: coral reefs. Scleractinian corals thrive in tropical shallow waters, where the photosymbiosis with endozoic microalgae (Symbiodiniaceae) allows them to grow in spite of nutrient-impoverished waters. In our team we explore coral heterotrophy and resilience to rapid environmental change. Corals also populate the deep, cold and dark waters at all latitudes. Cold-water corals (CWC) have long been considered particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification, but in the naturally acidified fjords of Patagonian Chile, we found large populations of CWC thriving in aragonite-undersaturated waters, suggesting calcification is sustained by ample supply of food and rich energy stores. In our team, we use field work involving SCUBA diving and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) as well as laboratory experiments in aquaria at AWI to address the effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors on CWC distribution, health and resilience.

Our research contributes to POF-IV Subtopics 4.2 / 6.1