The Coral Reef Research Hub

The Coral Reef Research Hub is dedicated to sharing coral news, job postings, research publications, academic opportunities, grant information and anything else related to coral reefs and their associated ecosystems. Our goal is to be a career development resource for a growing community of coral reef professionals, researchers and early career scientists. We are also building a dedicated networking community outside of regular social media channels that allows its members to network with each other, create niche research groups and facilitate collaboration. With up-to-date career postings (job openings, PhD positions, internships etc), researcher publication hosting, a small research grants program, mentorships and knowledge sharing masterclasses, The Coral Reef Research Hub is a unique initiative and set to become THE place for those wanting to get ahead in the highly competitive field of coral reef science. See our website for more details and join us today! https://lnkd.in/eW9QtDGe #coralreefs #jobpostings #jobs #jobopportunities #careerdevelopment #networking #internships #volunteering #research #grants #phd #postdoc #academia #marinescience #marineecology #marinebiology #coralresearch

Coral Reef Conservation Financial Assistance - NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program The Coral Reef Conservation Program provides financial awards (grants and cooperative agreements) to support conservation projects and scientific studies that benefit coral reef management across seven U.S. states and territories, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Each year, NOAA strive to award at least $8 million in grants and cooperative agreements, which are matched by nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, regional fishery management councils, commercial entities, community groups, and state and territorial natural resource management agencies. All projects focus on the reduction of primary threats to coral reefs —global climate change, land-based sources of pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices— and coral reef restoration as outlined in the Coral Reef Conservation Program's Strategic Plan. Funded projects also focus on priority coral reef regions and watersheds. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e4gQMEPh #coralreefs #conservation #funding #financialassistance #caribbean #pacific #coralreefecology #coralreefconservation #marinebiology

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: UNCDF - Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) - Communications and Social Media (Remote) The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is seeking an intern to be part of the GFCR. Working under the direct oversight of the Deputy Head of the GFCR and day-to-day guidance of GFCR staff, the selected interns will support the ongoing work plan and goals of the unit. This internship is specifically intended to support the work of the UNGT with tasks focused on social media, graphic design, and application of the GFCR's visual identity throughout  communications products and activities. The intern role will work with the guidance of the GFCR Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Specialist in performing their duties. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e46ZMuwU #coralreefs #internship #socialmedia #careers #careerdevelopment #communications #coralreefecology #marineecology #marinebiology

NEW CORAL RESEARCH: No Sign of Homogenisation in Reef Fish Communities Across an Ecological Transition Zone Exposed to Warming (OPEN ACCESS) Marine organisms are responding to warming by altering their distribution ranges, causing biogeographic range shifts and in some cases, favouring the community homogenisation. Transition zones can act as natural laboratories to explore the consequences of homogenisation. However, these habitats are relatively poorly studied in coastal areas. In this study, we aimed to investigate biotic homogenisation and changes in reef fish community composition from both a taxonomic and trait-based perspective. See full paper here: https://lnkd.in/dpmbsSTF #coralreefs #reeffish #fish #coralreefresearch #coralreefecology #ecology #marineecology #communities #climatechange #marinebiology

NEW CORAL RESEARCH: Natural selection could determine whether Acropora corals persist under expected climate change (OPEN ACCESS) Marine heatwaves are intensifying under climate change, exposing populations of reef-building corals to mass mortality and intense selective pressure. It remains unknown whether adaptation can keep pace with warming and maintain reef functioning. We have developed an eco-evolutionary metapopulation model for Acropora, an ecologically important yet thermally sensitive coral taxon. We find that although corals have some adaptation capacity, they will suffer severe heatwave-induced declines over the coming decades. For a future where emissions lead to ~3°C of global warming, natural selection could allow populations to persist, albeit in severely depleted states with elevated extinction risk and potential loss of ecosystem functioning. Yet, for thermally sensitive coral populations to thrive post-2050 demands rapid reductions of greenhouse gas emissions that limit global warming to 2°C. Access article here: https://lnkd.in/e2dJGQMu #coralreefs #coralresearch #acropora #climatechange #globalwarming #coralbleaching #coralhealth #coralreefecology #marinebiology

Coral Restoration Internship Opportunities at MOTE (Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, USA) Upper Keys Coral Restoration Internship Coral reefs are vital to people and wildlife around the world. However, they are declining steeply due to climate change—including increasing temperatures and ocean acidification—along with coral disease, pollution, overfishing, and other stressors. Mote Marine Laboratory’s Coral Reef Restoration Research Program develops and applies science-based strategies with the goal of restoring depleted coral reefs in our lifetime. Specifically, Mote researchers are working to optimize restoration using diverse coral genotypes (genetic varieties), prioritizing native genetic variations that can resist SCTLD and other stressors such as increased water temperatures and ocean acidification. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eVg5AMdY #coralreefs #internships #careers #coralrestoration #careerdevelopment #reefrestoration #coral #coralreefecology #climatechange #sctld #marinebiology

CORAL REEF PERSPECTIVE: Cool water from the deep could protect pockets of the Great Barrier Reef into the 2080s For coral reefs, climate change is an existential threat. Australia's Great Barrier Reef has endured seven mass bleaching events over the past 25 years. Five have occurred in the past eight years. But amid the story of decline, something curious is happening. Surveys from the air and on water show a few reef groups, such as the Ribbon Reefs in the far north and the Swains and Pompey reefs in the south, are consistently escaping severe bleaching while their neighboring reefs suffer. But how? In our new research , we found their survival is due to cold water. That is, most of these reefs are periodically bathed in cooler water even as other parts of the reef bake in marine heatwaves. This stems from the phenomenon called upwelling, where cooler waters from the deep mix with warm surface waters. These reefs are likely to be buffered from the worst of climate change. Read full report here: https://lnkd.in/ePibpZiB #coralreefs #coralnews #climatechange #coralbleaching #marineecology #coralreefecology #marineheatwaves #upwellings #marinebiology

JOB OPPORTUNITY: General Manager - Chumbe Island Coral Park (Zanzibar) Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd. (CHICOP) is based in Zanzibar/Tanzania. Established since the early 1990’s CHICOP lobbied for, and went on to acquire management rights over, the Chumbe Island Marine Protected Area (MPA). This award-winning privately managed protected area is renowned as the first financially independent and self-sustaining MPA in the world (and is today one of only two existing). This is made viable through revenue generated by sustainable marine ecotourism (both day visitors and overnight guests staying in Chumbe’s eco-lodge). The tourism operations in the MPA utilize commercial principles with not-for-profit objectives to finance project operations, conservation, research and an extensive environmental education programme for local schools. The MPA includes a protected Coral Reef Sanctuary and Closed Forest Reserve. There is also a Visitors’ centre used for Chumbe’s education programs. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eTjjebyB #coralreefs #jobs #jobopportunity #zanzibar #mpa #management #coral #coralreefecology #marineecology #marinebiology #careers

CORAL REEF NEWS: Healthy coral transplants could revolutionise reef restoration Imagine a world where damaged ecosystems, specifically coral reefs teeming with vibrant marine life, could be revived and restored to their former glory. These vibrant underwater habitats, often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea,” are essential for marine biodiversity and coastal protection. That’s no longer just a dream, thanks to an innovative study that has just shed light on a technique with immense potential for reviving and restoring damaged coral reefs. By harnessing the power of healthy ecosystems, scientists have unlocked a sustainable and scalable method to breathe new life into these critical environments. Read full story here: https://lnkd.in/eRxsdrUP #coralreefs #coralrestoration #coralnews #reefrestoration #coralhealth #climatechange #coralreefecology #marineecology #marinebiology

PHD OPPORTUNITY: Predatory fish declines in coral reef ecosystems: understanding the socio-ecological implications (University of Liverpool, UK) Coral reefs are vibrant ecosystems that depend on a delicate balance of predator-prey interactions to maintain their health and structure. Unfortunately, predatory fish, particularly those at the top of the food chain like sharks and groupers, are experiencing significant declines in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Overfishing and inadequate protection measures threaten these crucial species, leading to a potential `functional extinction` that could disrupt the reef ecosystem and impact local communities. This project aims to explore the ecological role of reef fish predators, the threats they face, and the socio-economic implications of their decline. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/exfy2MtF #coralreefs #phd #reeffish #fish #predatory #phdopportunity #careers #careerdevelopment #coralreefecology #marineecology #marinebiology