Media Advisory: Biosphere 2 ocean habitat to be stocked with corals

What: Corals will be introduced into the ocean habitat to allow for scientific experiments aimed at better understanding how corals cope with changing climate.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 4, noon-1 p.m. (media availability), 1-3 p.m. (coral planting)
Where: Biosphere 2, 32540 S. Biosphere Road, Oracle
RSVP: To RSVP, please email jadamsb2@arizona.edu and stolte@arizona.edu.

TUCSON, Ariz. – Media are invited to witness corals being planted on a structure installed in the ocean habitat at the University of Arizona's Biosphere 2.

For the first time during the U of A's tenure at Biosphere 2, corals will be introduced into the ocean habitat as part of a temperature-resilience experiment designed to better understand how two specific coral groups – Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys – respond under predicted higher future temperature conditions.

A team led by Diane Thompson, director of marine research at Biosphere 2, as well as a team of scuba divers, will install young corals on a dedicated "Coral Ark" structure suspended from the newly installed lighting system over the Biosphere 2 ocean. At the event, Thompson will give an overview of the project, along with her vision of the research and the overall importance of Biosphere 2 ocean research.

Recent upgrades – including a heat exchanger, circulation pump, water-turbulence devices and lighting structure – were critical in enabling this type of experiment. In collaboration with several external institutions, this work strengthens the scientific value of Biosphere 2, highlighting its unrivaled capacity for large-scale, controlled ecosystem research.

In addition to Thompson, scheduled speakers at Wednesday's event include:

Lia Crocker, research specialist, Biosphere 2. Croker will discuss engineering upgrades, systems equipment, the history of Biosphere 2 Ocean and student involvement.
Samantha King, doctoral candidate, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. King is studying genetic basis for coral health and resilience to heat stress.
Mikayla Deigan, doctoral candidate, geosciences. Deigan will discuss the role of stress in coral calcification and implications for reconstructing climate change from coral skeletons.
John Adams, deputy director and chief operating officer, Biosphere 2.
Aaron Bugaj, research technologist and media producer, Biosphere 2.
Joaquin Ruiz, director, Biosphere 2.

Media contacts:
John Adams
Biosphere 2
jadamsb2@arizona.edu

Daniel Stolte
University Communications
stolte@arizona.edu

Established in 1885, the University of Arizona is the state's flagship, land-grant institution. The U of A ranks among America's top institutions, focusing on student access and success while driving a $1 billion research enterprise and engaging communities throughout the state, nation and world. As a leading Research 1 institution and member of the Association of American Universities, the U of A advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships. With two accredited medical schools, designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, recognition as a premier university for service members, distinguished programs in management information systems, planetary sciences, dance, photography, and public and applied humanities, the U of A offers the world to its students while uplifting Arizona.