Biodiversity within species (genetic diversity) and between species is critical for maintaining the health, productivity and resilience of an ecosystem. Marine biodiversity, in particular, has the potential to transform medicine, industry, environmental remediation and energy production. However, marine biodiversity is simultaneously under-sampled and threatened by pollution, habitat destruction, fishing and climate change.
Sargassum
Using shipboard measurements of seawater pH and alkalinity (buffering capacity), SEA students establish baseline conditions of ocean chemistry and assess changes over time.SEA has been at the forefront of identifying and describing the taxonomic differences between these Sargassum types using extensive field samples as well as morphological and genetic tools. This research is particularly relevant given the rise of a previously-rare form of Sargassum inundating Caribbean beaches and wreaking havoc on local ecosystems and economies. Understanding the taxonomy and molecular diversity of these seaweed variants will shed light on the shifting patterns of Sargassum distribution and abundance throughout the region.