Ilsa B Kuffner, Ph.D.
Ilsa Kuffner is a Research Marine Biologist at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.
As a research marine biologist for the Coastal and Marine Geology Program, I investigate the causes and effects of coral reef degradation. I explore local- to global-scale stressors on reefs, and experimentally determine how environmental variables such as sea-surface temperature, water quality, seawater chemistry, nuisance macroalgae, and ocean acidification affect coral growth, the community structure of reefs, and the process of reef building. My work informs resource managers about the mechanisms causing reef degradation and how management efforts may be improved to protect and restore degraded reefs. Please visit the USGS Coral Reef Ecosystems Studies (CREST) website for more information (see link below).
Professional Experience
Research Marine Biologist, US Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal & Marine Geology Science Center, 2002 to present
Faculty, School for Field Studies, Center for Marine Resource Studies, Turks & Caicos Islands, 2001 to 2002
Director, Forfar Field Station, Andros Island, Bahamas, 2000 to 2001
Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Guam Marine Laboratory, Post-doc advisor: Valerie J. Paul, 1999 to 2000
Education and Certifications
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Zoology, Ph.D. Chair: Paul L. Jokiel, 1999
Bachelor of Arts, University of New Hampshire, Department of Zoology, Minor: Marine Biology, 1993
Science and Products
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center coral reef research
Coral calcification in a changing ocean
Biological community structure on patch reefs in Biscayne National Park, FL, USA
Net Loss of CaCO3 from a subtropical calcifying community due to seawater acidification: Mesocosm-scale experimental evidence
Reef communities in the Dry Tortugas (Florida, USA): Baseline surveys for the new no-take area
U.S. Geological Survey Science Support Strategy for Biscayne National Park and Surrounding Areas in Southeastern Florida
Ocean acidification and calcifying reef organisms: A mesocosm investigation
Decreased abundance of crustose coralline algae due to ocean acidification
Ecology of coral reefs in the US Virgin Islands
Biological communities and geomorphology of patch reefs in Biscayne National Park, Florida, U.S.A.
Relationships between reef fish communities and remotely sensed rugosity measurements in Biscayne National Park, Florida, USA
Inhibition of coral recruitment by macroalgae and cyanobacteria
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center coral reef research
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coral Reef Ecosystem STudies (CREST) Project specifically addresses priorities identified in the 'Facing tomorrow's challenges' U.S. Geological Survey science in the decade 2007-2017' document (USGS, 2007). Research includes a blend of historical, monitoring, and process studies aimed at improving our understanding of the development, current status and function,AuthorsRichard Z. Poore, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Christina A. KelloggCoral calcification in a changing ocean
Animals and plants that live in the ocean form skeletons and other hard parts by combining calcium ions and carbonate ions to create calcium carbonate. This process is called calcification. In tropical and subtropical oceans, the calcification of corals and other organisms creates reefs that protect islands, produce beautiful white-sand beaches, and create habitat for thousands of species that livAuthorsIlsa B. KuffnerBiological community structure on patch reefs in Biscayne National Park, FL, USA
Coral reef ecosystem management benefits from continual quantitative assessment of the resources being managed, plus assessment of factors that affect distribution patterns of organisms in the ecosystem. In this study, we investigate the relationships among physical, benthic, and fish variables in an effort to help explain the distribution patterns of organisms on patch reefs within Biscayne NatioAuthorsIlsa B. Kuffner, Rikki Grober-Dunsmore, John Brock, T. Don HickeyNet Loss of CaCO3 from a subtropical calcifying community due to seawater acidification: Mesocosm-scale experimental evidence
Acidification of seawater owing to oceanic uptake of atmospheric CO 2 originating from human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and land-use changes has raised serious concerns regarding its adverse effects on corals and calcifying communities. Here we demonstrate a net loss of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) material as a result of decreased calcification and increased carbonate dissolution froAuthorsA.J. Andersson, I. B. Kuffner, F.T. MacKenzie, P. L. Jokiel, K. S. Rodgers, A. TanReef communities in the Dry Tortugas (Florida, USA): Baseline surveys for the new no-take area
To understand the current community structure on reefs in the Dry Tortugas, we conducted specieslevel surveys of macroalgae, coral diversity, herbivorous and game fishes, urchins, and substratum composition (e.g., rugosity) in shallow (3- to 5-m depth) low-relief reef and hardbottom habitats in October 2007. We had particular interest in the ecological process of herbivory inside and outside of thAuthorsI. B. Kuffner, V. J. Paul, R. Ritson-Williams, T. D. Hickey, L. J. WaltersU.S. Geological Survey Science Support Strategy for Biscayne National Park and Surrounding Areas in Southeastern Florida
The U.S. Geological Survey conducts a wide range of research in and around the Biscayne National Park region of southern Florida. This research encompasses the biologic, ecologic, meteorologic, geologic, and hydrologic components of the system, including water-quality analyses, ground-water modeling, hydrogeologic-data collection, ecologic-habitat evaluations, wetlands characterizations, biogeocheAuthorsMelinda A. Wolfert-Lohmann, Christian D. Langevin, Sonya A. Jones, Chris D. Reich, Georgina L. Wingard, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Kevin J. CunninghamOcean acidification and calcifying reef organisms: A mesocosm investigation
A long-term (10 months) controlled experiment was conducted to test the impact of increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) on common calcifying coral reef organisms. The experiment was conducted in replicate continuous flow coral reef mesocosms flushed with unfiltered sea water from Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Mesocosms were located in full sunlight and experienced diurnal and seasonal fAuthorsP. L. Jokiel, K. S. Rodgers, I. B. Kuffner, A.J. Andersson, E.F. Cox, F.T. MacKenzieDecreased abundance of crustose coralline algae due to ocean acidification
Owing to anthropogenic emissions, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide could almost double between 2006 and 2100 according to business-as-usual carbon dioxide emission scenarios1. Because the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere2, 3, 4, increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations will lead to increasing dissolved inorganic carbon and carbon dioxide in surface ocean watAuthorsIlsa B. Kuffner, Andreas J Andersson, Paul L. Jokiel, Ku'ulei S. Rodgers, Fred T. MackenzieEcology of coral reefs in the US Virgin Islands
The US Virgin Islands (USVI ) in the northeastern Caribbean, consist of St. Croix (207 km2), St. Thomas (83 km2), St. John (52 km2) and numerous smaller islands (Dammann and Nellis 1992). They are part of the Lesser Antilles and Leeward Islands on the eastern boundary of the Caribbean plate (Fig. 8.1). An extensive platform underlies St. Thomas and St. John and connects these islands to Puerto RicAuthorsCaroline S. Rogers, Jeff Miller, Erinn Muller, Peter J Edmunds, Richard S. Nemeth, James P. Beets, Alan M. Friedlander, Tyler B. Smith, Rafe Boulon, Christopher F.G. Jeffrey, Charles Menza, Chris Caldow, Nasseer Idrisi, Barbara Kojis, Mark E. Monaco, Anthony S. Spitzack, Elizabeth H. Gladfelter, John C. Ogden, Zandy M Hillis-Star, Ian Lundgren, William B. Schill, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Laurie L. Richardson, Barry E. Devine, Joshua D. VossBiological communities and geomorphology of patch reefs in Biscayne National Park, Florida, U.S.A.
Coral reef ecosystem management benefits from continual, quantitative assessment of the resources being managed, plus assessment of factors that affect distribution patterns of organisms in the ecosystem. In this study, we investigated the relationships among physical, benthic, and fish variables in effort to help explain the distribution patterns of ecologically and economically important speciesAuthorsIlsa B. Kuffner, John Brock, Rikki Grober-Dunsmore, T. Don Hickey, Victor Bonito, Jeremy E. Bracone, C. Wayne WrightRelationships between reef fish communities and remotely sensed rugosity measurements in Biscayne National Park, Florida, USA
The realization that coral reef ecosystem management must occur across multiple spatial scales and habitat types has led scientists and resource managers to seek variables that are easily measured over large areas and correlate well with reef resources. Here we investigate the utility of new technology in airborne laser surveying (NASA Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar (EAARL)) in asseAuthorsIlsa B. Kuffner, John Brock, Rikki Grober-Dunsmore, Victor E. Bonito, T. Donald Hickey, C. Wayne WrightInhibition of coral recruitment by macroalgae and cyanobacteria
Coral recruitment is a key process in the maintenance and recovery of coral reef ecosystems. While intense competition between coral and algae is often assumed on reefs that have undergone phase shifts from coral to algal dominance, data examining the competitive interactions involved, particularly during the larval and immediate post-settlement stage, are scarce. Using a series of field and outdoAuthorsI. B. Kuffner, L.J. Walters, M.A. Becerro, V.J. Paul, R. Ritson-Williams, K.S. BeachNon-USGS Publications**
Kuffner, I. B. and V. J. Paul, 2004, Effects of the cyanobacteria Lyngbya majuscula on the larval settlement of the reef corals Acropora serculosa and Pocillopora damicornis: Coral Reefs23:455-458.Kuffner, I.B., 2002, Effects of ultraviolet radiation and water motion on the reef coral, Porites compressa: A transplantation experiment: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology & Ecology270(2):147-169.Kuffner, I.B. and V. J. Paul, 2001, Effects of nitrate, phosphate and iron on the growth of macroalgae and benthic cyanobacteria from Cocos Lagoon, Guam: Marine Ecology Progress Series222:63-72.Kuffner, I. B., 2001, Effects of ultraviolet radiation and water motion on the reef coral Porites compressa Dana: a flume experiment: Marine Biology 138:467-476.Kuffner, I.B., 2001, Effects of ultraviolet radiation on larval recruitment of the reef coral, Pocillopora damicornis: Marine Ecology Progress Series 217:251-261.Kuffner, I.B., 1999, The effects of ultraviolet radiation on reef corals and the sun-screening role of mycosporine-like amino acids: Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Zoology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 164 pp.Banaszak, A. T., M. P. Lesser, I. B. Kuffner and M. Ondrusek, 1998, Relationship between ultraviolet (UV) radiation and the concentration of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in marine organisms: Bulletin of Marine Science 63(3):617-628.Kuffner, I. B., M. Ondrusek and M. P. Lesser, 1995, The distribution of mycosporine-like amino acids in the tissues of Hawaiian scleractinia; a depth profile: in D. Gulko and P.L. Jokiel (eds.) Ultraviolet Radiation and Coral Reefs. HIMB Tech Report No. 41, Sea Grant, Honolulu, pp. 77-85.Grottoli-Everett, A., I. B. Kuffner, 1995, Individual polyp response to UV radiation in Montipora verrucosa: in D. Gulko and P.L. Jokiel (eds.) Ultraviolet Radiation and Coral Reefs. HIMB Tech Report No. 41, Sea Grant, Honolulu, pp. 115-120.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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