MESOPHOTIC CORALS
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MESOPHOTIC CORALS
As havens of biodiversity, mesophotic coral ecosystems (30 to 200 metres deep) remain largely unknown. They could prove decisive in the protection of biodiversity and marine heritage, notably by serving as a refuge for populations of surface reefs which are degraded by human activities. Corals are among the first victims of the accelerating pace of environmental change, causing local and regional extinctions. To ensure their preservation, it is urgent to describe and understand the functioning of coral reefs in their entirety, including the depth.
"The shallow coral reefs are only the tip of the iceberg, they are the most visible part of an extensive coral ecosystem."
Discovering and describing the mesophotic corals of French Polynesia and their ecological characteristics, in particular size, abundance, and dynamic of mesophotic coral reefs
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Understanding the role of environmental parameters in the vertical distribution of coral communities (as a function of depth)
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Determining the mechanisms of acclimatization/adaptation of corals to depth, including the role of the microbiome (i.e. microorganisms - zooxanthellae, viruses, bacteria - associated with corals)
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Elucidating the connectivity between surface and mesophotic coral populations to test the refuge hypothesis (mesophotic coral ecosystems may be a refuge for surface corals under environmental stress)
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Determining the vulnerability to global warming of mesophotic corals in French Polynesia
14 month program (2018-2021)
5 archipelagos, 11 islands
More than 1000 dives
Scientific consortium: 14 international researchers + 1 Post-doc + 2 PhD students
4 pays impliqués : France – Australie – États-Unis d’Amérique – Belgique
MARINE BIOLOGY, CORAL EXPERT au CNRS / CRIOBE
CRIOBE
After a PhD in biological oceanography and marine environment at the University of La Rochelle, this coral specialist continued her research in French Polynesia within the CRIOBE. She then studied marine ecology, reproductive biology and coral biology.
CORAL TAXONOMY MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA
MESOPHOTIC CORALS BIOLOGY, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES USA
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY ARC Centre of excellence for coral reef studies james cook university australia
ecology pennsylvania state university usa
ecology ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR CORAL REEF STUDIES JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY AUSTRALIA
ECOLOGY & MICROBIOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY AUSTRALIA
PhD STUDENT usr 3278 criobe French POLYNESIA
POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW USR 3278 CRIOBE french polynesia
PhD STUDENT FREE UNIVERSITY OF BRUXELES BELGIUM
"From a scientific point of view, the DEEPHOPE project will forever mark the history of our knowledge of mesophotic reefs thanks to the intense program of deep dives led by the UNDER THE POLE team. It will become a reference in the world of exploration and discovery of coral reefs."
USR3278 CRIOBE – EPHE, CNRS, UPVD (Centre of Island Research and Environmental Observatory – Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, French National Centre for Scientific Research, University of Perpignan)
UMR8222 Pierre and Marie Curie University- French National Centre for Scientific Research
Museum of Tropical Queensland
California Academy of Sciences
Pennsylvania State University
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
University of French Polynesia
UMR 241 EIO-IRD (Oceania Island Ecosystems - Institute of Research for Development)
Free University of Brussels
“The DEEPHOPE program is the most intense and effective ever. The emerging scientific results, as well as its scientific impact, are clearly of primary planetary scale interest."
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Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978 : the undersigned is informed that his personal data will be collected and processed electronically by the Club. This data will be stored by the UNDER THE POLE for administrative purposes for a period of 3 years. The undersigned is informed of his right of access, communication and rectification, in case of data proven inaccuracy as well as his right to oppose the processing and / or publication of his data for legitimate reasons. To do so, simply send an email to the following address: contact@underthepole.com
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Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978 : the undersigned is informed that his personal data will be collected and processed electronically by the Club. This data will be stored by the UNDER THE POLE for administrative purposes for a period of 3 years. The undersigned is informed of his right of access, communication and rectification, in case of data proven inaccuracy as well as his right to oppose the processing and / or publication of his data for legitimate reasons. To do so, simply send an email to the following address: contact@underthepole.com
Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978 : the undersigned is informed that his personal data will be collected and processed electronically by the Club. This data will be stored by the UNDER THE POLE for administrative purposes for a period of 3 years. The undersigned is informed of his right of access, communication and rectification, in case of data proven inaccuracy as well as his right to oppose the processing and / or publication of his data for legitimate reasons. To do so, simply send an email to the following address: contact@underthepole.com
