GES4SEAS is proud to announce that the early career researcher Sophie Schoenherr has successfully defended her master’s thesis at the University of Aveiro in collaboration with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). Her research focused on the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa, known for its critical role in marine biodiversity. 

Sophie’s study took place at Learning Site 5, the Deep Atlantic-Mediterranean transition zone, where she explored the distribution and connectivity of L. pertusa colonies. Through her innovative use of larval dispersal models, she identified potential new areas for coral occurrence and proposed “priority areas” for conservation. 

Her findings underscore the need for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to safeguard these vulnerable coral communities, especially considering changing ocean conditions. Sophie’s work contributes significantly to marine conservation efforts, offering new insights that help shape effective protection strategies for marine biodiversity.