Lead researcher: Prof Hamish McGowan and Prof Nadav Lensky (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) 

Coral reefs cover an area of ~0.1 to 0.25% of the Earth’s oceans, confined mostly to tropical and subtropical environments. They are one of the most diverse, heavily utilized, and economically valuable ecosystems directly supporting the livelihoods of > 1 billion people. Our research seeks to develop understanding of how coral reefs interaction with the atmosphere through exchanges of heat, moisture and trace gases including CO2. 

Research has been conducted at Heron Reef on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia and on the fringing, coral reefs in the Gulf of Eilat (northern Red Sea). We are also investigating the impacts of teleconnections of weather patterns and how this may influence the thermal environments of coral reefs including extreme high-water temperatures that may cause coral bleaching. 

Further information and opportunities to be involved in the research can be discussed with Prof McGowan or Prof Lensky.