[Coral-List] ICRS2021- Theme 6 , session 6B - From refugia to extreme coral habitats: What can we learn? And how can they aid future coral survival?

[Eslam Osman]

Dear colleagues,

We would like to draw your attention to a session meeting in the upcoming
ICRS2021; From refugia to extreme coral habitats: What can we learn? And
how can they aid future coral survival?


The session would like to get a holistic view of corals in extreme habitats
and how they may act as coral refugia. We need to understand the potential
acclimation and adaptation mechanisms of these corals to survive in extreme
environments. Also, we want to exchange knowledge on how coral in extremes
can support the future survival of corals globally? and how can we manage
those "pocket of resistance" to sustain coral survival under future climate
scenarios?


If you have relevant research, please consider submitting your abstract in
our session (Theme 6, session 6B). We would love to hear from you.


Bests
Eslam

On behalf of the organizing committee


Session description:

Rapid environmental change is compromising coral reefs globally, requiring
enhanced knowledge on which habitats will be more likely to serve as coral
refugia. Insights gained by studying geographic locations of stress
tolerant corals (e.g. the northern Red Sea) and those in marginal and
extreme coral habitats that house corals living under suboptimal
environmental conditions (e.g. mesophotic reefs, latitudinal extremes,
inter-tidal-habitats, turbid reefs, and reef-neighbouring habitats
–including up-welling, mangrove habitats, seagrass and CO2 vent sites), can
be used to better manage such sites and aid coral reef resilience. Research
into these locations are revealing novel habitat functions, including
refuge capacity, preconditioning to climate change, and stocks of genetic
biodiversity. Furthermore, studies on the traits and physiological
mechanisms of individuals from these habitats are showing the adaptive
and/or acclimatory processes required to survive stress.  Thus, these
systems are providing unique natural laboratories to enhance our
understanding of coral survival under suboptimal conditions, while
accounting for timescales of long-term acclimatisation, adaptation and
local community reorganisation to the prevailing conditions. In this
session, we seek to attract a diverse range of abstracts that contribute
new knowledge on refugia, extreme and marginal coral habitats and their
reef associated taxa to: i) further our understanding of how environmental
conditions contribute to novel ecosystem services for resident populations,
and to ii) enhance our understanding of the acclimation/adaptation
mechanisms that facilitate survival. Collectively the session will seek to
advance our knowledge of the location, vulnerabilities and value of reef
refugia, while advancing our knowledge of the mechanisms that facilitate
survival of resident populations.


*-------------------------------------*

*Eslam O. Osman, PhD*


*Postdoctoral researcher*

*Centre for Marine Science and Technology*

*Eberly College, Department of Biology*

*The Pennsylvania State University *

*311 Mueller lab*

*University Park, PA, 16802*