Award: OCE-1459522

Intellectual Merit: The project significantly advanced our understanding of coral ecophysiology and related fields through its many research findings. Among these contributions, three pivotal discoveries emerge. Firstly, our research established that corals inhabiting regions historically characterized by cooler and more stable environmental conditions within a reef system are paradoxically more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and resulting ocean warming compared to their counterparts in warmer and more variable reef habitats. Secondly, we unveiled a nuanced parabolic relationship between corals and oceanic changes, where current environmental conditions foster growth, yet values decline under extreme warming and acidification conditions. Thirdly, we pioneered producing the first transcriptome (full set of genetic code transcribed) for a crucial Caribbean reef-building coral, uncovering robust yet divergent transcriptomic response to warming and acidification stressors. These groundbreaking findings, alongside others from the project, collectively enrich our understanding of the intricate ecophysiological mechanisms underlying coral reef response to global change. Broader Impacts: The project yielded tangible societal benefits and achieved several coveted societal outcomes. In addition to benefiting the principal investigator, the project directly or indirectly facilitated the career advancement of at least five early-career faculty members. Furthermore, it provided training opportunities for three postdoctoral scholars, seven graduate students, numerous undergraduate researchers, and several high school students, equipping them with advanced ecophysiological techniques. The project emphasized inclusive diversity within the STEM field and workforce and actively recruited and supported students from diverse backgrounds. The project's commitment to education extended to disseminating our research findings to K-12 schools and the broader public through various outreach initiatives, such as science expos and museum presentations. The project contributed to coral ecophysiology by widely sharing the research findings within the academic community through presentations at conferences and symposia and the publication of more than 30 peer-reviewed articles. The project also actively engaged with local collaborators, including government agencies, conservationists, marine protected areas managers, and policymakers, to ensure the effective integration of our findings into coral reef conservation and management practices. By advocating for incorporating corals' inherent ecophysiological capacities into conservation strategies, we strive to make a meaningful impact on preserving these vital ecosystems for future generations. Last Modified: 02/24/2024 Submitted by: KarlDCastillo