The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $199,948 Project Grant under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The grant, effective October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, will support research examining the ecological impacts of the 2023 Lahaina, Maui wildfire on nearby coral reef ecosystems. The project employs a "before-after control-impact" design to compare affected and unaffected reefs, focusing on the effects of runoff containing organic matter, toxic compounds, and metals. This research aims to provide novel insights into the responses of coral reefs to urban wildfires, which may become more common due to climate change. The project directly supports four students, including a Native Hawaiian student, to participate in field work, data collection, analyses, and communication of research findings. This grant reflects NSF's mission to expand fundamental knowledge and understanding of the Earth system through basic research in the atmospheric, earth, and ocean sciences.
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