Corals are ecologically important marine animals that help to provide shelter for fish. They have the capacity to photosynthesize via their zooxanthellae symbionts as well as partially filter feed, sequestering nutrients from the water column. As environmental disturbances increase such as increased frequency of intense storms and coastal development, coral health continues to decline. Due to corals restriction to temperate climates, the Caribbean is a suitable location to study corals and the diseases that impact them. Our researchers at CMES are focused on understanding coral disease, demographics, and distribution.

Sea grass, like coral reefs, also provide shelter for numerous fish and other marine invertebrates. In the Virgin Islands, there are three known species of sea grass which are: Thalassia testudinum (Turtle grass), Syringodium filiforme (Manatee grass), Halodue wrightii (Shoal grass), and a fourth species (Halophila stipulacaea) has recently been introduced and has already begun colonizing many locations within the Virgin Islands. Our researchers are focused on studying the possible positive / negative impacts that are associated with this invasive species of sea grass and other native species of sea grass.

Mangrove forests are a crucial ecosystem which helps support both aquatic and terrestrial organisms. There are four species of mangroves found within the Virgin Islands which include: Rhizophora mangle (Red mangrove), Laguncularia racemosa (White mangrove), Avicennia germinans (Black mangrove), and Conocarpus erectus (Buttonwood mangrove). Many of the notable ecological services are provided by the red mangrove. Some of these include filtering the water, providing habitat for migratory birds, providing a nursery for juvenile fish, and sheltering the coastline from storms. In the Virgin Islands, approximately 60% of mangrove forest cover was lost in a 50 year span, most likely as a result of clear cutting. Our researchers at CMES are focused on understanding environmental conditions that may affect the survivability of red mangrove transplants.

Sea turtles are one of several endangered species that inhabit that Virgin Islands. While there are four species of sea turtles that nest on beaches within the Virgin Islands, some species are only sighted on St. Croix while others are on St. Thomas. The four species that are found in the Virgin Islands include: Chelonia mydas (Green turtle), Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill turtle), Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback turtle), and Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle). The green sea turtle is so named not because of the color of its shell but instead by the color of its internal tissue which is green because of the sea grass it eats. The other sea turtles will typically eat sponges, jellyfish, and small crustaceans. All four species are listed as endangered due to years of over-harvesting for their eggs, meat, and shell. Our researchers are are using advanced tracking technology to understand sea turtle movement patterns within Brewers Bay and the artificial habitat created by the extension of the airport runway.

Several species of fish usually instinctively migrate to a specific location every year to partake in a huge spawning event; these are called spawning aggregations. Some important commercial and ecological species of fish partake in spawning aggregations which make them extremely vulnerable to the pressures of over-fishing. Using GPS tracking devices, tags can be surgically implanted into the fish to better understand their movement patterns during these spawning events. Our researchers utilize this data to better provide better boundary restrictions to natural resource managers.

Ghuts are the equivalent of streams in the Virgin Islands; they contain primarily fresh water derived from rainfall events. These bodies of flowing water often are connected to open ocean after heavy rains. There is a staggering degree of biodiversity that exists within ghuts such as fish, shrimp, and other marine invertebrates. Human development that occurs within close proximity to ghuts is of concern as that could possibly have negative consequences to that biodiversity. Our researchers are focused on documenting this biodiversity that occurs within these ghuts.