Overview

My research encompasses ecological and biological studies of both deep and shallow coral reefs and of chemosynthetic ecosystems. Over the past decade or more, most of my work has focused on deep sea corals; their distribution, life histories and physiology. Distribution of all species is influenced by a number of factors: dispersal of larvae to suitable habitat and survival of the juveniles and adults. For sessile species such as corals, once an individual has settled and metamorphosed, it cannot move and therefore has to tolerate the local conditions. Some species are resilient to environmental fluctuations and others are more sensitive, but each species has its own ‘environmental envelope’ within which it can survive. One of my objectives is to try and understand the environmental conditions that influence the distribution of benthic species, particularly corals which are generally thought to be the first indicators of habitat degradation. In addition to corals, I have worked on reproduction and larval biology of hydrothermal vent and cold seep fauna. Such information is scarce, particularly for deep sea species, but this information is critical to understanding connectivity between populations, and consequently the vulnerability of a species to disturbance. Ecosystems at any depth can be harmed by human activities, but impacts to deep sea communities are unlikely to be observed. My colleagues and I use information generated through exploration and research of deep sea ecosystems for public education and outreach, and also in support of management and conservation efforts.