[Coral-List] Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Session, 2011 ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting

[Tyler Smith]

We are pleased to encourage submissions to the following special session of the ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico (February 13th–18th, 2011):

S77: Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems: Structure, Patterns, Processes and Refugia

This is an excellent opportunity to present your new data and ideas on MCEs to a diverse and expert audience at a venue with an exciting scientific program.  We encourage submissions that push the boundaries of what is currently known about MCE ecology, oceanography, geology, and future trajectories in a changing climate.  Submit your abstract for oral or poster presentation by midnight (23:59 US CDT) 11th October, 2010 to:

http://www.aslo.org/meetings/sanjuan2011/submittal.html

Please be sure to reference the MCE session number (S77) and the session title.

Background for Special Session:

Light-dependent Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) that form on deep walls, shelves, and banks remain among the least studied and most poorly understood reefs systems in the world. Despite their historical anonymity, it has been suggested that MCEs may represent important refuge for shallow water coral reef species. This hypothesis is based on observational evidence that MCEs are extensive, diverse, and experience oceanographic regimes that are buffered from the effects of climactic extremes, such as high sea surface temperatures. However, it is not clear whether MCEs will be able to serve as refugia due to multiple interacting, and possibly synergistic stressors. To examine the refuge hypothesis, this session will take advantage of MCE studies that have been conducted in the last ten years. We encourage submissions that explore physical processes, geomorphology and biological characteristics that shape the structure, extent, and health of MCEs and their connectivity to shallow water coral reef ecosystems. We also encourage comparative studies examining the differing vulnerability of MCEs within and between regions and ocean basins.

See you in San Juan!

Tyler B. Smith (Point of Contact), University of the Virgin Islands, mailto:tsmith at uvi.edu

Richard Appeldoorn, University of Puerto Rico

David Ballantine, University of Puerto Rico

Kimberly Puglise, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

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Tyler B. Smith, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Center for Marine and Environmental Studies
University of the Virgin Islands
2 John Brewers Bay
St. Thomas, USVI       00802
USA
office: 340-693-1394
fax:     340-693-1385