This colony of Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) is so large (about 3 feet across) that it must have been growing before the severe bleaching and disease episode in 2005/2006 that caused so much coral mortality on St. John's reefs.
Caroline Rogers, Ph.D.
Caroline Rogers is a retired Research Biologist at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Botany, University of Florida
RESEARCH
Caroline Rogers was a Marine Ecologist with the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center based at the USGS Caribbean Field Station in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands until her retirement in 2022. Previously, she was a research biologist with the National Park Service in Virgin Islands National Park (1984 – 1993). She has over 30 years of experience in research on coral reefs and has published papers on coral diseases, the effects of sedimentation, effects of hurricanes, damage from boat anchors, long-term monitoring, reef productivity, coral recruitment, and the threatened coral species Acropora palmata. She served as the Deputy Editor for Reef Encounter, the newsletter of the International Society for Reef Studies.
Science and Products
This colony of Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) is so large (about 3 feet across) that it must have been growing before the severe bleaching and disease episode in 2005/2006 that caused so much coral mortality on St. John's reefs.
A Queen Angelfish peers through the safety of the mangrove roots across the rich colors and textures of corals, sponges, urchins, and algae. Queen Angelfish feed almost exclusively on sponges, which are abundant in these mangroves.
A Queen Angelfish peers through the safety of the mangrove roots across the rich colors and textures of corals, sponges, urchins, and algae. Queen Angelfish feed almost exclusively on sponges, which are abundant in these mangroves.
Barracudas of all sizes, from the juveniles shown here, to adults over 3 feet long, are common inhabitants of the mangroves.
Barracudas of all sizes, from the juveniles shown here, to adults over 3 feet long, are common inhabitants of the mangroves.
Gray Snappers (Lutjanus griseus) are among the largest fish found in schools in the mangroves.
Gray Snappers (Lutjanus griseus) are among the largest fish found in schools in the mangroves.
This Giant Caribbean Anemone (Condylactis gigantea) tucked in between mangrove roots.
This Giant Caribbean Anemone (Condylactis gigantea) tucked in between mangrove roots.
Solitary Sea Squirts grow on prop roots and on the bottom in the mangroves. Tunicates are unusual animals that are classified along with humans and other vertebrates in the Phylum Chordata.
Solitary Sea Squirts grow on prop roots and on the bottom in the mangroves. Tunicates are unusual animals that are classified along with humans and other vertebrates in the Phylum Chordata.
Pale-blue sponges and plate-like coral colonies (Agaricia agaricites) grow on mangrove prop roots.
Pale-blue sponges and plate-like coral colonies (Agaricia agaricites) grow on mangrove prop roots.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A large colony of Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) has grown almost completely around a prop root.
A large colony of Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) has grown almost completely around a prop root.
This coral (Mycetophyllia sp.) is not abundant in coral reefs of the Virgin Islands. It most commonly grows in water deeper than 40 ft., and it is surprising to find it growing in the shade of the mangroves in 3 ft of water.
This coral (Mycetophyllia sp.) is not abundant in coral reefs of the Virgin Islands. It most commonly grows in water deeper than 40 ft., and it is surprising to find it growing in the shade of the mangroves in 3 ft of water.
Some of the corals in these bays are so large that they must have been growing here before the bleaching event in 2005. The Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) (background) is one of the largest colonies in these mangroves. In the foreground is the Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata).
Some of the corals in these bays are so large that they must have been growing here before the bleaching event in 2005. The Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) (background) is one of the largest colonies in these mangroves. In the foreground is the Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata).
In Hurricane Hole, Red Mangrove trees extend from land into the water, anchoring the trees along the shoreline and creating a rich marine ecosystem.
In Hurricane Hole, Red Mangrove trees extend from land into the water, anchoring the trees along the shoreline and creating a rich marine ecosystem.
Prop roots of the Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) tree create thickets that harbor a wide variety of creatures both above and below the water.
Prop roots of the Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) tree create thickets that harbor a wide variety of creatures both above and below the water.
A view of red mangrove trees and their prop roots above and below the water surface.
A view of red mangrove trees and their prop roots above and below the water surface.
Prop roots extending into the water column are commonly colonized by a variety of colorful and bizarrely-shaped sponges.
Prop roots extending into the water column are commonly colonized by a variety of colorful and bizarrely-shaped sponges.
A grooved brain coral, a massive starlet coral and a boulder brain coral growing under mangrove prop roots.
A grooved brain coral, a massive starlet coral and a boulder brain coral growing under mangrove prop roots.
This striking Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) grows with an assortment of sponges among Red Mangrove prop roots.
This striking Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) grows with an assortment of sponges among Red Mangrove prop roots.
A Queen Angelfish Swims in Front of Coral Colonies of Several Species Growing in Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Queen Angelfish Swims in Front of Coral Colonies of Several Species Growing in Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
Many species of corals grow directly on or near the Red Mangrove prop roots.
Many species of corals grow directly on or near the Red Mangrove prop roots.
A Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) leaves his den to hunt for conchs and clams.
A Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) leaves his den to hunt for conchs and clams.
A unique coral community in the mangroves of Hurricane Hole, St. John, US Virgin Islands
Octocoral diseases in a changing ocean
Measuring, interpreting, and responding to changes in coral reefs: A challenge for biologists, geologist, and managers
Disease prevalence and snail predation associated with swell-generated damage on the threatened coral, Acropora palmata (Lamarck)
Diverse coral communities in mangrove habitats suggest a novel refuge from climate change
Early signs of recovery of Acropora palmata in St. John, US Virgin Islands
Rapidly spreading seagrass invades the Caribbean with unknown ecological consequences
Coral reef resilience through biodiversity
Bleaching, disease and recovery in the threatened scleractinian coral Acropora palmata in St. John, US Virgin Islands: 2003-2010
Life on the edge: corals in mangroves and climate change
Coral reef diseases in the Atlantic-Caribbean
Science and Products
This colony of Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) is so large (about 3 feet across) that it must have been growing before the severe bleaching and disease episode in 2005/2006 that caused so much coral mortality on St. John's reefs.
This colony of Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) is so large (about 3 feet across) that it must have been growing before the severe bleaching and disease episode in 2005/2006 that caused so much coral mortality on St. John's reefs.
A Queen Angelfish peers through the safety of the mangrove roots across the rich colors and textures of corals, sponges, urchins, and algae. Queen Angelfish feed almost exclusively on sponges, which are abundant in these mangroves.
A Queen Angelfish peers through the safety of the mangrove roots across the rich colors and textures of corals, sponges, urchins, and algae. Queen Angelfish feed almost exclusively on sponges, which are abundant in these mangroves.
Barracudas of all sizes, from the juveniles shown here, to adults over 3 feet long, are common inhabitants of the mangroves.
Barracudas of all sizes, from the juveniles shown here, to adults over 3 feet long, are common inhabitants of the mangroves.
Gray Snappers (Lutjanus griseus) are among the largest fish found in schools in the mangroves.
Gray Snappers (Lutjanus griseus) are among the largest fish found in schools in the mangroves.
This Giant Caribbean Anemone (Condylactis gigantea) tucked in between mangrove roots.
This Giant Caribbean Anemone (Condylactis gigantea) tucked in between mangrove roots.
Solitary Sea Squirts grow on prop roots and on the bottom in the mangroves. Tunicates are unusual animals that are classified along with humans and other vertebrates in the Phylum Chordata.
Solitary Sea Squirts grow on prop roots and on the bottom in the mangroves. Tunicates are unusual animals that are classified along with humans and other vertebrates in the Phylum Chordata.
Pale-blue sponges and plate-like coral colonies (Agaricia agaricites) grow on mangrove prop roots.
Pale-blue sponges and plate-like coral colonies (Agaricia agaricites) grow on mangrove prop roots.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A large colony of Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) has grown almost completely around a prop root.
A large colony of Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) has grown almost completely around a prop root.
This coral (Mycetophyllia sp.) is not abundant in coral reefs of the Virgin Islands. It most commonly grows in water deeper than 40 ft., and it is surprising to find it growing in the shade of the mangroves in 3 ft of water.
This coral (Mycetophyllia sp.) is not abundant in coral reefs of the Virgin Islands. It most commonly grows in water deeper than 40 ft., and it is surprising to find it growing in the shade of the mangroves in 3 ft of water.
Some of the corals in these bays are so large that they must have been growing here before the bleaching event in 2005. The Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) (background) is one of the largest colonies in these mangroves. In the foreground is the Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata).
Some of the corals in these bays are so large that they must have been growing here before the bleaching event in 2005. The Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) (background) is one of the largest colonies in these mangroves. In the foreground is the Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata).
In Hurricane Hole, Red Mangrove trees extend from land into the water, anchoring the trees along the shoreline and creating a rich marine ecosystem.
In Hurricane Hole, Red Mangrove trees extend from land into the water, anchoring the trees along the shoreline and creating a rich marine ecosystem.
Prop roots of the Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) tree create thickets that harbor a wide variety of creatures both above and below the water.
Prop roots of the Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) tree create thickets that harbor a wide variety of creatures both above and below the water.
A view of red mangrove trees and their prop roots above and below the water surface.
A view of red mangrove trees and their prop roots above and below the water surface.
Prop roots extending into the water column are commonly colonized by a variety of colorful and bizarrely-shaped sponges.
Prop roots extending into the water column are commonly colonized by a variety of colorful and bizarrely-shaped sponges.
A grooved brain coral, a massive starlet coral and a boulder brain coral growing under mangrove prop roots.
A grooved brain coral, a massive starlet coral and a boulder brain coral growing under mangrove prop roots.
This striking Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) grows with an assortment of sponges among Red Mangrove prop roots.
This striking Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) grows with an assortment of sponges among Red Mangrove prop roots.
A Queen Angelfish Swims in Front of Coral Colonies of Several Species Growing in Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Queen Angelfish Swims in Front of Coral Colonies of Several Species Growing in Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
Many species of corals grow directly on or near the Red Mangrove prop roots.
Many species of corals grow directly on or near the Red Mangrove prop roots.
A Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) leaves his den to hunt for conchs and clams.
A Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) leaves his den to hunt for conchs and clams.