MATHEMATICAL MODELS FOR CORAL REEFS: TOWARDS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY AND CONSERVATION-FOCUSED RESEARCH

Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth, but their regression has largely increased in the last decades due to local human pressures and global warming.

This project aims to use numerical models and simulations to expand our understanding of coral reefs' dynamics and improve marine conservation strategies.

I will follow an interdisciplinary approach, using complex systems and non-linear physics techniques combined with ecological knowledge and field data of coral reef systems.

My results will be the foundation to study a large variety of open questions in coral reef science using an innovative and ground-breaking point of view.

In this project, I will focus on two applications of the models: i) the study of the underlying mechanisms causing the emergence of halo-like patterns around reef islands (grazing halos) and ii) the construction of a protocol to optimize and reduce costs in coral restoration programs.

I expect my results to have a high impact on the scientific community and contribute to making better and more informed decisions about the sustainable management of coastal zones, in line with the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - a comprehensive, ambitious, long-term plan for protecting nature and reversing the degradation of ecosystems aiming to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030 with benefits for people, the climate and the planet.