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Research
My research interests include coral recruitment, reproduction, and reef restoration. With the world-wide decline of coral
reefs over the past several decades, it is imperative to gain a better understanding of coral recruitment processes and natural
reef recovery. In light of the growing number of reef restoration projects, techniques to enhance coral recruitment and thus
speed reef recovery from damage are also of particular importance. My past research examined the effects of coral reproduction
and fertilization success on coral recruitment in the Florida Keys. It also assessed coral recruitment to several reef
restoration sites that had employed different restoration techniques in an effort to evaluate their efficacy.
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Moulding, A. L. Coral recruitment patterns in the Florida Keys. Revista de Biología Tropical (International Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation) 53 (Suppl. 1): 75-82.
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My current research is the study of coral recruitment and reproduction on the reefs of Broward County. Both settlement plates
and permanently marked areas of the natural reef substratum are employed to assess coral settlement, recruitment, and mortality
to determine to what extent each of these processes is a structuring factor. Histological examination of coral tissues will
provide insight to the reproductive potential and supply of larvae to the area. In addition, the effectiveness of different
settlement substrata at attracting coral recruits and the transplantation of juvenile corals collected on settlement plates
will be evaluated as methods that could potentially be utilized to enhance reef restoration.
