4D-REEF will use a variety of paleo-ecological and present-day data to study reefs in turbid habitats. These reefs might have the capacity to withstand environmental pressures and act as a refuge for coral reefs in periods of warm climate.
Key research questions:
What was the biodiversity of turbid reefs in the past and in which habitats did the reefs grow in previous warmer periods of Earth’s history, and how does this compare to the present?
What are the environmental constraints on ecosystem functions of turbid reefs?
How can we use information from past reefs to better understand the future trajectories of modern coral reefs, and apply this towards reef restoration actions?
