Understanding the shift of coral, and seagrass dominated communities into macroalgae dominated communities as a result of changes at global and local scales. We are analyzing the distribution and long-term dynamics of algal communities in the Florida Keys. Topics such as the changes in demographic patterns of increasing species as well as their interaction with the environment are under study. We also are conducting research in the Mexican Caribbean on the coral-algae shifts. Finally we are interested in the link between the research results and its applications in marine conservation, particularly in Marine Protected Areas in the Caribbean.
