Davindar Grantham

• Linking thermal history and population dynamics in a common coral
• BSc Hons Biology

This study centres on the contrast in thermal histories of two distinct regions in Palau, discerned from 36 years of temperature data. Hotspots situated in the southwest endure persistent heat stress, while thermal refugia in the northern areas experience comparatively lower levels of heat stress exposure. Specifically centred on the common coral species Acropora digitifera, it was noted that bleaching resistance and colony size were both higher at thermal refugia. To unravel the drivers of these trends requires more detailed information on population dynamics. Throughout this project it was found that Acropora digitifera colonies displayed consistat growth rates between sites, suggeting either recovery from a past significant disturbance or elevated rates of background mortality for the corals in hotspots.

Funded by: Newcastle University Research Scholarship

Project Supervisor: Dr James Guest