Research
We are broadly interested in understanding how climate change is impacting the ecological function and resilience of marine ecosystems. We place a strong emphasis on:
1) Determining contemporary baselines of ecosystem health (so as to harness the ability to better understand change over time)
2) Identifying drivers and mechanisms that foster resilience to climate change pressures (to seek glimmers of hope for the future)
3) Testing the capacity to actively enhance resistance (to provide a 'fighting chance' while societies strive to reduce emissions)
Presently, we focus on coral reef ecosystems - as these are among the most vulnerable marine ecosystems under climate change - yet we are open to exploring research questions that aim to understand the impacts, threats, and opportunities within other marine ecosystems. If you have a neat idea that you would like to explore, get in touch with Dr. McRae (crystal.j.mcrae@mail.nsysu.edu.tw).
1) Determining contemporary baselines of ecosystem health (so as to harness the ability to better understand change over time)
2) Identifying drivers and mechanisms that foster resilience to climate change pressures (to seek glimmers of hope for the future)
3) Testing the capacity to actively enhance resistance (to provide a 'fighting chance' while societies strive to reduce emissions)
Presently, we focus on coral reef ecosystems - as these are among the most vulnerable marine ecosystems under climate change - yet we are open to exploring research questions that aim to understand the impacts, threats, and opportunities within other marine ecosystems. If you have a neat idea that you would like to explore, get in touch with Dr. McRae (crystal.j.mcrae@mail.nsysu.edu.tw).
Determining contemporary baselines of ecosystem health
We are establishing long-term field plots on coral reefs to monitor benthic community dynamics. It is only with a clear understanding of the current state of ecosystem health can we begin to determine the consequences of specific local and global stressors. To ensure accurate and repeatable measurements of our sites, we use large-area imaging (photogrammetry) to create 3D models which allows for colony-specific tracking over time. Further, this approach can also be used to quantify physical changes of the reef itself (e.g., reef rugosity) which can relate directly to ecosystem functionality and ecosystem service provision.
We are establishing long-term field plots on coral reefs to monitor benthic community dynamics. It is only with a clear understanding of the current state of ecosystem health can we begin to determine the consequences of specific local and global stressors. To ensure accurate and repeatable measurements of our sites, we use large-area imaging (photogrammetry) to create 3D models which allows for colony-specific tracking over time. Further, this approach can also be used to quantify physical changes of the reef itself (e.g., reef rugosity) which can relate directly to ecosystem functionality and ecosystem service provision.
Identifying mechanisms & drivers of thermal tolerance
The future outlook for corals is grim, with predictions of up to >70% of reef coral loss by mid-century if the Paris Agreement targets (i.e., < 2°C relative to preindustrial levels) are not met. Yet, there is some hope as corals show variability in thermal response among reef sites, species, and individual colonies. We seek to identify specific mechanisms linked to thermal resistance and resilience. This research aims to not just assess the coral host, but also the organisms making up the coral holobiont (e.g., algal symbionts). We are exploring thermal responses using in-situ monitoring of tagged colonies before, during, and after marine heatwaves, as well as by conducting standardized acute heat-stress assays in the lab.
The future outlook for corals is grim, with predictions of up to >70% of reef coral loss by mid-century if the Paris Agreement targets (i.e., < 2°C relative to preindustrial levels) are not met. Yet, there is some hope as corals show variability in thermal response among reef sites, species, and individual colonies. We seek to identify specific mechanisms linked to thermal resistance and resilience. This research aims to not just assess the coral host, but also the organisms making up the coral holobiont (e.g., algal symbionts). We are exploring thermal responses using in-situ monitoring of tagged colonies before, during, and after marine heatwaves, as well as by conducting standardized acute heat-stress assays in the lab.
Testing the capacity to actively enhance resistance
As climate change stressors impose major challenges on corals, leading to mass bleaching and mortality, there is a growing need to explore novel intervention techniques to mitigate coral loss. One such approach that has been proposed as a means of enhancing coral acclimatization is assisted evolution. We are exploring the potential for transgenerational acclimation (specifically through multi-generational thermal conditioning) to improve offspring performance under high temperatures. Coupled with this work, we are also examining the role of heterotrophic feeding (in both the field and the lab) as another potential means of improving performance of corals when exposed to heat-stress.
As climate change stressors impose major challenges on corals, leading to mass bleaching and mortality, there is a growing need to explore novel intervention techniques to mitigate coral loss. One such approach that has been proposed as a means of enhancing coral acclimatization is assisted evolution. We are exploring the potential for transgenerational acclimation (specifically through multi-generational thermal conditioning) to improve offspring performance under high temperatures. Coupled with this work, we are also examining the role of heterotrophic feeding (in both the field and the lab) as another potential means of improving performance of corals when exposed to heat-stress.