During 2006 the Marine Sciences Research group initiated base-line surveys around the coral atoll of Desroches located 240 km southwest of the main Republic of the Seychelles Island, Mahe. This ongoing research project was aimed at describing the coral reef community, the identification of threats to biodiversity and reef integrity whilst also examining reef resilience. Like many parts of the Seychelles, Desroches was heavily impacted by the 1998 bleaching event and this study, funded by the Mitsubishi Corporation Global Coral Reef research programme, aimed to identify resilient species and the recovery potential of open ocean atolls. The initial research uncovered some unusual but very exciting results including previously consider sensitive and light loving corals existing in turbid lagoons. Such environment conditions could well buffer corals from the effects of climate change. Therefore this project continues to:
1. Examine the biodiversity of Indian Ocean open sea coral atolls
2. The recovery potential of Indian Ocean reef communities from climatic events
3. Coral reefs of marginal habitats and their ability to survive future climate change scenarios
4. The photophysiology of reef building corals existing in sub-optimal and low light environments
