Jessica Jarett

Jessica Jarett

Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar

Media Profile

“Through research in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the best-managed coral reef system in the world, I aim to address the assumption that some corals, are more resistant to stress than others, and that these corals would be more likely to survive in the future. This information could help develop effective management strategies that will help preserve these fragile ecosystems.”

Jessica Jarett is one of twenty Americans to be granted a Fulbright Postgraduate Award in 2005. Jessica is a graduate from Southampton College, majoring in Marine Science. Whilst in Australia, Jessica will work with Dr. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a leading authority in the field of coral biology, at the University of Queensland (UQ). Jessica will also spend time at the Heron Island research station, managed by UQ, where worldwide leading scientists are working on a Global Environmental facility project.

While in Queensland, Jessica will look specifically at the stress response in reef corals. Through researching two ecomorphs within the same species (Montipora digitata), Jessica will examine their stress response to assess if there is a difference in their reactions. Dr Hoegh-Guldberg, a coral biologist, has extensive knowledge of symbiosis, coral physiology and coral bleaching, and will aid her research.

“University of Queensland’s Heron Island field station will provide me a unique environment and an opportunity to conduct extensive field observations and sample collection.” Jessica stated.

“There is much speculation on whether some corals are more resistant to high temperatures than others; and if so, how they are distributed on reefs in micro-habitats such as lagoons and reef flats. The two ecomorphs that I am studying are thought to be distributed in two different microhabitats (very near inshore reef flat and more offshore reef flat), so if such a difference in tolerance and distribution does occur, this is one situation where we might expect to see it.” 

Jessica aims to research the intricacies of algal-coral symbiosis and their implications for global conservation of coral reef ecosystems. Her study will determine coral responses and the composition of reefs in the future. It will also examine the effects of climate change as ocean temperatures and variation in temperature increases.