Prof. Tali Mass from the Department of Marine Biology, together with Dar Golomb, graruate student, is leading an exciting research project in international collaboration with Dr. Fiorella Prada, Dr. Grace Saba, Chip Haldeman, and Kayla Cayemitte from Rutgers University–New Brunswick (USA).
The international team is comparing two unique areas in Costa Rica: Culebra Bay in the Gulf of Papagayo, where the upwelling phenomenon occurs—cold, nutrient-rich waters rise from the depths—and “regular” reefs near Sámara.
The research is conducted in close collaboration with Proyecto Corales Sámara and researchers from the Universidad de Costa Rica UCR – CIMAR (Center for Research in Marine Sciences and Limnology).
The team is examining coral health and oceanographic conditions at both sites to understand how naturally cold, nutrient-rich environments can serve as “climate refugia” and help corals adapt and survive in an era of ocean warming and intensifying marine heatwaves.
This research may shed light on potential solutions for saving coral reefs worldwide.
Stay tuned for updates from the field!
