Kevin P. Helmle, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Email: "Kevin Helmle" <kevinh barney nova fred edu>

Research
Massive reef-building corals can accrete skeleton containing annual density bands throughout their multi-century life spans. Methods for optical densitometry measurement of annual density bands provide a record of linear extension, density, and calcification for individual corals over time. By assessing these growth records across latitudinal and environmental gradients, the varying impacts of climate change can be identified across both spatial and temporal scales. It is predicted that recent increases in sea surface temperatures and carbon dioxide levels have already altered coral growth in some locations.


Recent projects:


Selected Publications (Complete publication list)


Banks K.W., B.M. Riegl, V.P. Richards, B.K. Walker, K.P. Helmle, L.K.B. Jordan, M.S. Shivji, R.E. Spieler, R.E. Dodge (2008). The reef tract of continental southeast Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, USA). in: Riegl B, Dodge RE (eds) Coral reefs of the USA, Springer, Dordrecht, pp 173-218.

Smith, J.M., T.M. Quinn, K.P. Helmle, and R.B. Halley (2006). Reproducibility of geochemical and climatic signals in the Atlantic coral Montastraea faveolata. Paleoceanography, 21, PA1010, doi:10.1029/2005PA001187.

Eakin, C.M., P.K. Swart, T.M. Quinn, K.P. Helmle, J.M. Smith, and R.E. Dodge (2006). Application of Paleoclimatology to Coral Reef Monitoring and Management. Proceedings of 10th Int Coral Reef Symp. Okinawa, Japan June 28-July 2 2004, pp 588-596.

Moses, C.S., K.P. Helmle, P.K. Swart, R.E. Dodge, and S.E. Merino (2003). Pavements of Siderastrea radians on Cape Verde reefs. Coral Reefs 22(4): 506.

Helmle, K.P., R.E. Dodge, and R.A. Ketcham (2002). Skeletal architecture and density banding in Diploria strigosa by X-ray computed tomography. Proceedings of 9th Int Coral Reef Symp. Bali, Indonesia Oct. 23-27 2000, Vol. 1, pp 365-371.