Nicola Foster PhD.

Institution:
University of Plymouth

Profile

Tropical coral reefs represent one of the most important, iconic and diverse marine ecosystems, supporting a variety of human needs, from fisheries and tourism to shoreline protection.

Coral reefs are in crisis from a combination of direct human impacts and the effects of climate change. Deeper reefs can harbour unique biodiversity and may provide a refuge for shallow-water coral reef species from disturbances felt at the surface. However, mesophotic reefs (found beyond 30 m depth) are relatively unexplored and data on the distribution and diversity of mesophotic reefs are lacking on both a regional and global scale. It is critical that we improve our understanding of mesophotic reefs and their role in supporting shallow-water coral reefs.
As part of a multi-disciplinary project, I am investigating the changes in diversity and distribution of mesophotic reefs in BIOT, in relation to depth and oceanographic drivers. I will be assessing the genetic connectivity of scleractinian coral species across the depth gradient from shallow to mesophotic depths to determine the potential of mesophotic reefs to resupply shallow reefs with larvae following mortality.

Mesophotic coral ecosystems are truly fascinating. They are relatively unexplored and we have so much to learn about their diversity and ecology.

Nicola Foster

Biography

2021 Present
Lecturer in Marine Biology, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth
2019 2021
Research Fellow, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth
2015 2019
NERC Postdoctoral Researcher, DeepLinks Project, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth
2013 2014
Associate Lecturer, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth
2010 2015
Postdoctoral Research Assistant, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth
2009 2010
Senior Marine Biologist, Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, Punta Gorda, Belize
2008 2009
Associate Research Fellow, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter
2003 2007
Ph.D. Student in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Exeter

My Projects

  • Species Distribution and Ecology
    Reef Manta Rays in the Indian Ocean Region
  • Island Reef Connections
    Mesophotic Reefs in the Indian Ocean Region
  • Species Distribution and Ecology
    Internal Waves as an Oceanographic Driver of Ecosystem Variability

Other interests

I am also interested in how patterns of species diversity vary with depth in the deep sea, the horizontal and vertical connectivity of populations, and the implications of these aspects on the conservation and management of the marine environment.

My Publications