Education Theme: Mesophotic Corals

Coral Ecosystem Connectivity 2015: From Pulley Ridge to the Florida Keys

In its third year, a goal of this study was to not only provide a better understanding of the underlying processes that regulate Pulley Ridge and whether Pulley Ridge helps sustain the coral reef communities in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas, but also help determine if the area would benefit from further protection.

Coral Ecosystem Connectivity 2014: From Pulley Ridge to the Florida Keys

This project focused on investigating the role that the relatively healthy deep, mesophotic reefs of Pulley Ridge may play in replenishing key fish species, such as grouper and snapper, and other organisms in the downstream reefs of the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas. Because of the well-documented decline of Florida's reefs, it is important to identify, protect, and manage sources of larval reef species that can help sustain Florida's reef ecosystems and the tourism economy that depends on it.

Coral Ecosystem Connectivity 2013: From Pulley Ridge to the Florida Keys 2015

This expedition was the second year of a five-year study to investigate the role that mesophotic reefs of Pulley Ridge (off the southwest coast of Florida) may play in replenishing key fish species, such as grouper and snapper, and other organisms, in the downstream reefs of the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas.