I am interested in how tropical coral reef ecosystems are changing, both in species composition and functioning.
Keywords
Coral reefs, marine ecology, ecosystem functioning, biodiversity, Indonesia
Project description
I have always been fascinated by biodiversity hotspots like coral reefs, where countless species interact and maintain ecological balance. But what happens to this balance when biodiversity changes? By analyzing natural communities and their carbon budgets, my research aims to unravel the influence of biodiversity on the metabolic balance of tropical coral reefs. My project focuses on the reefs of Maluku, Indonesia – the global epicenter of marine biodiversity.
Here, we aim to complement traditional biodiversity surveys with environmental DNA analysis to capture a broad range of taxa and link those to carbon budgets. By uncovering the roles that different species play in these intricate systems, my research may offer new insights on how to support the ecological balance of coral reefs in a changing world.
