Overview
Many of the world's coral reefs are at risk, with nearly two thirds of the reefs in the Caribbean threatened by human activities. Across the Caribbean the loss of hard corals and the increase in abundance of fleshy macroalgae is now a common phenomenon and one of increasing concern, since algal reefs do not support the wealth of life that a coral dominated ecosystem can.

Factors that are exacerbating this shift from coral to algae include; the loss of important hard coral species due to epidemics of coral disease, coral bleaching and hurricanes; loss of important herbivores from reefs such as long spine sea urchins, parrotfish and surgeon fish; continuing conditions that stress corals such as coastal pollution, nutrification and sedimentation.

The coral reefs of Utila are likely some of the best remaining reefs in the Caribbean, but they were badly affected by a major bleaching event and subsequent hurricane in 1998. Whilst these large scale problems are unlikely to be effectively combated at a local level, the ability of corals to resist and recover from large scale impacts like mass bleaching is linked in part to the overall fitness of corals and the ecological balance of the reef system.

Monitoring Coral Reef Health
On the reefs we are assessing the prevalence and severity of coral diseases and looking for links with possible sources, reservoirs and vectors for the coral pathogens. We have established permanent sites in case of bleaching events to monitor the spread and subsequent recovery of bleaching around the island. In addition our programme monitors coastal water quality for nitrates, phosphates and specific bacterial contamination using cutting edge laboratory equipment and this information helps to pinpoint areas of concern and identify possible patterns between reef health and environmental variables.

Coral Population dynamics
The research is investigating the settlement and survival of juvenile corals and the factors that influence recruitment in to the adult population. Specific investigations are also planned to look at the genetic distribution of endangered coral species (Acropora palmata) around the island as part of a regional meta-population study in conjunction with University of Pennsylvania State. Further studies will also look at the role of algal dominance in affecting the survival of juvenile corals and the role of climate change in shifting the dominance of species on coral reefs.