Abigail Engleman is a doctoral student at Florida State University conducting research to restore degraded coral reefs in the Florida Keys.

Read on to learn about her research and how your donation will help!

At the FSU High Performance Materials Institute, taking a 360-degree scans of coral fragments for use in 3D modeling and 3D printing.

Overview:

Findings from this research will enhance current coral restoration methods. This research will improve our understanding of what characteristics coral prefer when choosing their “forever home” on the ocean floor. Future artificial reef designs can incorporate these findings to increase coral coverage and enhance the quality of coral reefs, on which over 500 million people depend.

Close up of an Acropora coral fragment, mounted and ready for 3D scanning.

Research:

This study aims to test the effects of combined settlement cues on coral larvae recruitment onto artificial substrates. Various physical and chemical characteristics have shown to enhance settlement (0-24 hours) or post-settlement (1-30 days) survival of coral larvae on manmade surfaces. By conducting an experiment to test the influence of various chemical and physical characteristics on coral recruitment, this study will isolate important features that enhance long-term coral survival on these surfaces.

Funds from this campaign will go toward:

• Rebuilding this research project, which was destroyed by Hurricane Irma
• Funding for 3D printed coral replicates
• Materials needed to deploy this experiment in the Florida Keys

Abigail Engleman, the primary investigator in this study, attaches settlement tiles to an experimental unit in the Florida Keys.

*** Every $15 donation directly funds one 3D printed coral replicate. No donation is too small! ***

Make your tax-deductable contribution and make a difference in coral reef restoration. To learn more, contact Abigail Engleman at aengleman@bio.fsu.edu.