Emerging Areas of Research
The Emerging Areas Team is focused on research that is new to VI-EPSCoR. It is worth noting that while the research of Drs. Cruz-Rivera and Guannel is entirely new, Dr. Jobsis’ research is ongoing and builds upon previous EPSCoR-funded work.
Emerging Areas research is centered around seagrass communities, the effects of drifting Sargassum seaweed on beaches, and their connections to ridge to reef processes in the shallow waters off of the USVI. Three integrated research projects focus on Brewers Bay and similar environments of St. Thomas.
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Led by Dr. Edwin Cruz Rivera, one of this area’s research goals is to improve our understanding of the ecology of the invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea in Virgin Islands coastal waters. The team also strives to advance our understanding of the Sargassum inundating Caribbean coasts.
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Led by Dr. Paul Jobsis, the goal of this research area is to determine the effects of stressors such as sediments, nutrients and invasive seagrasses on the behavior of sea turtles and fish.
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Led by Dr. Gregory Guannel, this research area is based on the seagrasses role in moderating wave heights and storing sediments which results in reduced shoreline erosion.
Seagrass important link here.
Movement Ecology important link here.
Shoreline Response important link here.
