Research

Research and Development 

Reef Systems Coral Farm is committed to advancing coral science and care through hands-on research, experimental systems design, and long-term collaborations with academic institutions. Our facility has supported multiple NSF-funded projects, peer-reviewed publications, and laboratory experiments focused on ocean acidification, physiology, and environmental changes. 

NSF-Funded Research:

Coral Reef 3D: Single-Camera Low-Tech Mapping Project

Reef Systems Coral Farm is proud to be a contributing collaborator on this NSF-funded project! This project is an innovative effort at developing citizen-science friendly, low-cost, single-camera method for documenting reef structures in 3D. This project supports conservation and coastal management, education, and long-term reef monitoring by making 3D reef imaging more accessible to communities and therefore researchers. 

Project Overview

3D reef mapping usually requires expensive technology. This NSF project is developing a more simple and scalable alternative that: 

  • Is more affordable 
  • Uses a single-camera to generate accurate 3D reconstructions of reefs 
  • Reduces cost restraints on small labs, educators, surveyors, etc. 
  • Supports long-term reef monitoring and restoration programs 
  • Enhances student and community engagement in reef monitoring 
  • Provides a standardized digital tool for reef health baselines over time

Research Team

Principal Investigators: 

  • Dr. Qin Rongjun - The Ohio State University
  • Dr. Andrea Grottoli - The Ohio State University 
  • Dr. James Porter - University of Georgia 

Collaborating Scientists:

  • Todd Melman - Reef Systems Coral Farm 

4Coral: Ocean Acidification and Global Warming Research Project

We are proud to have contributed to an NSF-funded research initiative whose findings were published in PLOS ONE, an inclusive, peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journal.

Coral Energy Reserves and Calcification in a High-CO2 world at Two Temperatures

This research examines how rising atmospheric CO₂ affects coral health. The project investigated the following key factors:
  • Coral energy reserves 
  • Metabolic demand 
  • Symbiont physiology 
  • Internal calcifying chemistry using microprobes 
  • Calcification rates under elevated CO₂ and temperature 

Schoepf V, Grottoli AG, Warner ME, Cai W-J, Melman TF, et al. (2013) Coral Energy Reserves and Calcification in a High-CO2 World at Two Temperatures. PLoS ONE 8(10): e75049

Research Team

Principal Investigator:                                                                                                     

  •  Dr. Andrea Grotolli - The Ohio State University 

Collaborating Scientists:                                                                                                       

  • Dr. Marker Warner - University of Delaware 
  • Dr. Wei-Jun Cai - University of Georgia
  • Todd Melman - Reef Systems Coral Farm 

 

Other Peer-Reviewed Publications Supported by Our Facility

  • Grottoli A, Dalcin Martins P, Wilkins M, Johnston M, Warner M, Cai W, Melman T, et al. 2018. Coral physiology and microbiome dynamics under combined warming and ocean acidification. PLOS ONE.

  • Levas S, Grottoli A, Warner M, Cai W, Bauer J, Schoepf V, Baumann J, Matsui Y, Gearing C, Melman T, et al. 2015. Organic carbon fluxes mediated by corals at elevated pCO₂. Marine Ecology Progress Series.

  • Schoepf V, Grottoli A, Warner M, Cai W, Melman T, et al. 2013. Coral Energy Reserves and Calcification in a High-CO₂ World. PLOS ONE.

  • Schoepf V, Hu X, Holcomb M, Cai W, Li Q, Wang Y, Xu H, Warner M, Melman T, et al. 2016. Coral calcification under environmental change. Coral Reefs.

  • Cai W, Ma Y, Hopkinson B, Grottoli A, Warner M, Ding Q, Hu X, Yuan X, Schoepf V, Xu H, Han C, Melman T, et al. 2016. Microelectrode characterization of coral interior pH and carbonate chemistry. Nature Communications.

  • Hoadley K, Pettay D, Grottoli A, Cai W, Melman T, et al. 2015. Physiological response to elevated temperature and pCO₂ varies across species. Scientific Reports.

  • Hoadley K, Pettay D, Grottoli A, Cai W, Melman T, et al. 2016. High temperature acclimation strategies in Symbiodinium trenchii. Marine Biology.