Katherine Henning, current master’s student in the Lamb Marine Lab, presented her research on Tropicalization and Thermal Refugia at the UF Water Institute Symposium.

Her research explores the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems in Florida’s Nature Coast, and a potential role of natural “refuges.”

Tropicalization: Climate change is making colder regions warmer, allowing for tropical species to move further north inter areas where temperate species live.

Thermal Refugia: As natural springs flow out to the the coast, they create areas with stable water temperatures which could act as a “safe zone” for species that are impacted by climate change.