Florida Keys field work (mid-2019 to mid-2022)
Prior to my arrival at AOML, NOAA scientists had already characterized a number of really interesting reefs in the Florida Keys, with Cheeca Rocks likely being the 1) best characterized and 2) most resilient. Check out this paper that nicely describes the offshore (degraded reefs with weakened corals) vs. inshore (generally healthier reefs and corals) gradient that I attempting to elucidate using a variety of predominantly molecular approaches. Also, AOML has a cool website chock full of data on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS).
Courtesy of Google Earth.
A closer look at the four sites. Inshore reefs=Cheeca Rocks and The Rocks. Offshore reefs=Little Conch and Crocker Reef.
