Can turbid coastal environments provide a refuge for coral reefs in periods of warm climate?

4D-REEF will use a variety of paleo-ecological and present-day data to study reefs in turbid habitats. These reefs might have the capacity to withstand environmental pressures and act as a refuge for coral reefs in periods of warm climate.

Lessons from the past

Observing the present

Predicting the future

Key research questions:

  • What was the biodiversity of turbid reefs in the past and in which habitats did the reefs grow in previous warmer periods of Earth’s history, and how does this compare to the present?

  • What are the environmental constraints on ecosystem functions of turbid reefs?

  • How can we use information from past reefs to better understand the future trajectories of modern coral reefs, and apply this towards reef restoration actions?

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network

Integrating climatic, geological, and biological expertise for applied coral reef science

4D-REEF consortium

This programme brings together 40+ researchers, including 18 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs), from 14 different institutions across Europe and southeast Asia.

Network Training Activities

4D-REEF will provide network-wide and specialised training to the ESRs to develop skills and experience to communicate and visualise their results effectively.