Understanding, Restoring, and Scaling Ocean Resilience
From fundamental discovery to applied tools, we help coral reefs and kelp forests recover through rigorous science and real‑world partnerships.
We integrate ecological theory, quantitative methods, and co‑designed field studies—emphasizing open science, training pipelines, and decision support—so insights move smoothly from lab and field to classrooms, observatories, and coastal decision tables.
Our Research Pillars
Pillar 1
Marine Ecosystem Dynamics & Resilience
We study how kelp and corals build habitat, how species interactions drive change, and what pushes reefs across tipping points — and how to pull them back.
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Pillar 2
Conservation Science & Human Dimensions
We co-design solutions with agencies and communities — testing what works, setting thresholds for action, and reducing conflict so decisions stick.
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Pillar 3
Ecological Theory & Quantitative Methods
We build simple, powerful models and tools — paired with new measurements — so managers can forecast, test "what‑ifs," and scale solutions.
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Research Deep Dive
At a glance: We study how kelp and corals build habitat, how species interactions (e.g., lobster–urchin) drive change, and what pushes reefs across tipping points — and how to pull them back.
Key Research Areas
- Foundation species & habitat: kelp & corals build homes → stability.
- Species interactions & food webs: predators, prey, and mutualists.
- Disturbance & tipping points: storms/bleaching; material legacies can favor algae.
- Function & nutrients: detritus in kelp; fish recycle nitrogen that boosts coral growth.
Representative Publications
- Stier & Osenberg (2024). How fishes and invertebrates impact coral resilience. Current Biology
- Stier & Osenberg (2024). Coral guard crabs. Current Biology
- White et al. (2023). Kelp detritus fuels nearshore food webs. Ecology
At a glance: We co-design solutions with agencies and communities — testing what works, setting thresholds for action, and reducing conflict so decisions stick.
Key Research Areas
- MPAs & fisheries: benefits to wildlife and nearby fishers; measure spillover.
- Recovery strategies: synchronize predator–prey recovery.
- Stakeholders & policy: align perceptions, lower participation costs.
- Restoration & climate: science-based methods to restore biodiversity.
Representative Publications
- Lenihan et al. (2021). Spillover benefits to the spiny lobster fishery. Scientific Reports
- White et al. (2019). Restoration enhances kelp biodiversity. Ecological Applications
- Samhouri et al. (2017). Synchronized predator–prey recovery. Nature Ecology & Evolution
At a glance: We build simple, powerful models and tools — paired with new measurements (e.g., 3D imaging) — so managers can forecast, test "what‑ifs," and scale solutions.
Key Research Areas
- Theory: mutualisms, food webs, species–area rules explain why some reefs bounce back.
- Methods: Bayesian models, SEM, MSE.
- Experiments & data: field/lab studies; 3D photogrammetry.
- Data systems: ILTER observatories; long-term comparable data.
Representative Publications
- Stier & Osenberg (2024). Mutualisms & coral resilience. Current Biology
- Detmer et al. (2021). Disturbance to a foundation species structures communities. Ecology
Impact Pathways — From Discovery to Deployment
How we work: start with first‑principles questions, build and test quantitative models with reproducible data streams, then translate results into tools, protocols, and capacity that others can use.
Discovery & Theory
- General models of resilience, feedbacks, and alternative stable states.
- Mechanistic experiments linking injury, symbiosis, and recovery dynamics.
- Testable predictions that scale from colonies to seascapes.
Methods & Open Infrastructure
- Open code & data for 3D growth, community analysis, and forecasting.
- Comparable observations via long‑term sites and shared protocols.
- Reproducible pipelines that lower barriers for new users.
Partnership & Implementation
- Co‑design with agencies, NGOs, and communities to test what works.
- Action thresholds and early‑warning indicators to guide interventions.
- Scalable playbooks for restoration, fisheries spillover, and climate resilience.
Training & Inclusion
- Undergraduate research pipelines and curriculum‑ready modules.
- Mentored teams that blend field biology, modeling, and data science.
- Open educational resources to broaden participation and impact.