CMS Research :: Coral Reef/Chemical Ecology

The Coral Reef/Chemical Ecology Program conducts research into the ecological functions of unusual metabolites (chemical compounds) found in the tissues of marine organisms from coral reef ecosystems. Recent work has mostly focused on marine sponges communities in the Caribbean.  Studies of patterns of sponge chemical defenses have led to broader studies of sponge predators, sponge nutrition, and carbon and nutrient cycling on Caribbean reefs.

Program contact

Dr. Joseph R. Pawlik
Distinguished Professor and Team Leader, Biology & Marine Biology and CMS
910-962-2377
pawlikj@uncw.edu