U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Fact Sheet 2008-3057

June 2008

Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST)

Printed on recycled paper

Introduction

Coral reefs provide important 

ecosystem services such as shoreline 

protection and the support of lucrative industries including fisheries 

and tourism. Such ecosystem 

services are being compromised as 

reefs decline due to coral disease, 

climate change, overfishing, and 

pollution. There is a need for focused, 

integrated science to understand 

the complex ecological interactions 

and effects of these many stressors 

and to provide information that will 

effectively guide policies and best 

management practices to preserve and 

restore these important resources. 

The U.S. Geological Survey 

Florida Integrated Science Center 

(USGS–FISC) is conducting a 

coordinated Coral Reef Research 

Project beginning in 2009. Specific 

research topics are aimed at addressing priorities identified in the “Strategic Science for Coral Ecosystems 

2007-2011” document (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007). 

Planned research will include a 

blend of historical, monitoring, and 

process studies aimed at improving 

our understanding of the develop-

 

Research activities will include: 

•	 mapping and characterizing coral 

reefs and critical benthic habitats 

(fig. 1),

•	 identifying response of coral reefs 

to climate and sea-level changes, 

•	 characterizing coral-associated 

microbial communities and investigating disease processes, 

•	 investigating the causes of coral 

disease and how they are transmitted (fig. 2), 

•	 evaluating existing and future 

threats to corals by increased 

atmospheric carbon dioxide and 

ocean acidification, and

•	 quantifying changes and trends in 

biogenic calcification.

Research Focus

The work is planned to primarily 

take place in two geographic areas: 

(1) the Dry Tortugas, and (2) the U.S. 

Virgin Islands (fig. 3). These

locations cover a variety of coral 

reef ecosystems, thus allowing FISC

scientists to address important science 

and management issues underlying

the global problem of reef decline.

 In the Dry Tortugas, corals will

be cored for retrospective studies, and

habitats will be mapped to classify

presently unknown areas and identify

areas of particular value for harboring

endangered sea turtles (fig. 4). Rates 

of coral calcification will be assessed, 

and initial bioassay screening will 

be conducted to assess coral microbial communities on reefs slated to 

receive mooring buoys. 

Figure 2. Black-band disease has infected 

these coral colonies of Diploria strigosa, 

an important reef-building species. 

Figure 1. Maho Bay, located within the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park on the island of 

St. John, is typical of coral-ecosystem habitat found throughout the Caribbean. 

ment, current status and function, 

and likely future changes in coral 

ecosystems. Topics such as habitat 

characterization and distribution, 

coral disease, and trends in biogenic 

calcification are major themes of 

understanding reef structure, ecological intesponses to global 

change. 
Figure 6. Photo mosaics, such as this one created using the USGS Along-Track Reef-Imaging 

System (ATRIS), will provide a detailed dataset to support benthic habitat characterization 

and mapping efforts.

For more information, please contact:

D.Z. Poore

Email: rpoore@usgs.gov

Telephone: 727-803-8747 x3131

I.B. Kuffner

Email: ikuffner@usgs.gov 

727-803-8747 x3048

C.A. Kellogg

Email: ckellogg@usgs.gov

727-803-8747 x3128

U. S. Geological Survey

Florida Integrated Science Center

600 4th Street South

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, causes 

of coral bleaching and diseases will 

be studied (figs. 2, 5). Distribution 

of type and quality of habitat will 

be evaluated in multiple managed 

reef areas on St. John. Research will 

include rates of coral calcification and 

trophic relationships and ecological 

processes inside and outside marine 

protected areas. 

Through the FISC Coral Reef 

Research Project, the USGS will 

contribute knowledge about the 

mechanisms and effects of change 

on coral reefs.

Reference

U.S. Geological Survey, 2007, 

 Strategic Science for Coral 

 Ecosystems 2007-2011: U.S. 

 Geological Survey Strategic Plan, 

 Reston, VA, 22 p.

Figure 5. The threatened reef coral species, 

Acropora cervicornis, once widespread 

in the Dry Tortugas, has suffered from 

temperature extremes and coral disease. Figure 4. Core sampling provides 

information about coral growth rates and 

geologic history. 

Figure 3. The USGS-FISC Coral Reef Research Project will focus on sites in: the Dry Tortugas

and the U.S. Virgin Islands.