CORALMATH MATHEMATICAL MODELS FOR CORAL REEFS: TOWARDS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY AND CONSERVATION-FOCUSED RESEARCH

Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, yet they are rapidly declining due to global warming and local anthropogenic pressures. This interdisciplinary project applies non-linear physics and complex systems modeling to improve our understanding of coral reef dynamics and inform marine conservation strategies.By combining ecological knowledge with methods from statistical mechanics, non-equilibrium systems, and numerical simulations, the project develops scalable models of coral growth and reef-scale interactions. These models bridge spatial scales—from individual coral colonies to entire reef structures—and offer new theoretical insights into coral self-organization and spatial pattern formation. Two main applications are addressed: the formation of grazing halos—circular bare zones around reefs driven by herbivory—modeled as emergent spatial phenomena to evaluate reef health; and the optimization of coral restoration efforts by identifying spatial configurations that enhance survival and reduce costs. The outcomes support evidence-based strategies for conservation and restoration, contributing to the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 by promoting the sustainable management of marine ecosystems and enhancing coastal resilience.