/PROJECTS
Most reef biodiversity is hidden within the reef matrix - this cryptobiome community mainly consists of invertebrates, algae, and microorganisms. They play vital roles in nutrient regeneration and have short life spans providing faster responses to environmental changes. But their omission in reef-scale assessments hinders our understanding of biodiversity patterns and drivers of change. For the first time, a non-macrofaunal centered ecological assessment will be developed and applied to restoration workflows.
Characterization of the cryptobenthic signatures across the reefscape (characteristic habitats, restored sites, and reference sites) will be done through standardized approaches (Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures). Two BioBlitz surveys will complement this effort by cataloging species diversity and associated DNA barcodes, which are critical steps for future cost-effective eDNA assessments. The data gathered will provide a comprehensive baseline to track and inform the effect of future interventions on biodiversity at the ecosystem level. In addition, it will offer the possibility of exploring the integration of molecular diversity signatures into a digital twin.