The Lab

The research in our laboratory focuses on the broad field of functional reef ecology with specific attention given to the changes in the performance of reef organisms along environmental gradients and their consequences on the composition and role of the ecological communities. Research priorities are given to characterizing the importance of individual variations in species response to changes and to the diversity of reef nuances potentially associated with contrasting dynamics. Our work benefits from the ideal location of Taiwan at the confluence of three marine ecoregions, which creates contrasting marine habitats and associated diversity around the island. We develop studies such as on the identification of scleractinian and octocoral physiological performances through trait-based approaches, the characterization and role of reef communities, the environmental determinism of reef assemblages, the interactions among species and their role in defining reef communities and optimizing reef restoration strategies, etc. We are interested in both the physiology and the ecology of reef organisms and communities which despite appearing as two independent research directions can be integrated in a theoretical framework we are maturating.

Keywords: Physiological Ecology, Community Ecology, Marine Protected Area, Mesophotic & High-Latitude Habitats, Urban Reef Ecology

Research directions

Physiological Ecology of Reef Organisms The composition, functions, and services of future response is conditioned by the "survival of the fittest" which motivates for research beyond the species level. Our research puts a greater emphasis on the diversity of responses observed among conspecifics as individual are the true ecological unit upon which the natural selection operates. We are perpetually looking the outliers, fringes, and extremes with a high interest for any organisms thriving in habitats at the margins of the "typical" coral reef distribution.

Topics: Trophic ecology, Holobiont diversity, Microbiome composition, Performance traits, Stress experiment

Community Ecology Taiwan has much to contribute in our understanding of how environmental conditions shape reef composition, functions, and services. The unique position of this densely populated country at the confluence of three biogeographic provinces and on the edge of continental shelf creates a unique natural laboratory made of a mosaic habitats including: subtropical and tropical settings, shallow and mesophotic environment, tidal pools, eutrophic and turbid conditions. We are delineating on the delineation, characterization, and ecological determinism of their associated communities.

Topics: Benthic Heterogeneity, Seascapes, Artificial Intelligence, Photogrammetry, Species interaction, Species Co-occurence, Abiotic Drivers

Mesophotic and High-Latitude Habitats Explore the unexplored! We are doing this work because we love diving and exploring new places. Our lab is collaborating with several experts to document the diversity of unexplored habitats. We still have a lot to explore, and much to discover as we have not yet investigated a lot of mesophotic areas and depths below. Marginal conditions imposed by subtropical climate further provide ideal setting to investigate sharp shift in the transition between mixotroph and heterotroph dominated communities.

Topics: Technical Diving, Diversity, Refuge, Tropicalization, Connectivity

Marine Protected Areas The long-term preservation of natural heritages is important, yet often disregarded for the short term profit of a few. In Taiwan, the situation is aggravated by a number of influential stakeholders combined with a impressive complexity in the tools deployed in conservation. Our work aims at assessing the current status of coral assemblages , identifying regional baselines, examining performance of current management, suggesting changes to be made while taking into consideration the challenges imposed by climate change.

Topics: Conservation, Reef Restoration, Citizen Science, Optimization Strategies, Stakeholders, Fishing

Urban Reef Ecology Nowadays, human are inherent part of any ecosystems and can largely influence ecological processes. Economic and social development may impact biological communities. Some projects may sometimes directly respond to other global issue such as climate change (offshore wind-turbines, LNGs terminal, etc.). Assessing accurately the consequences of those constructions on the ecological systems is important in order to propose reasonable solutions to mitigate (when possible) their impacts.

Topics: Ecological Assessment, Artificialization, Wave Breakers, Industries, Coastal Engineering