Chancey MacDonald

My main research interests lie in illuminating the role of environmental gradients in the formation, maintenance, and transformation of ecosystem processes. The goal of my past research was to understand ecological plasticity along coral reef depth gradients, using observational, physiological, and geo-chemical approaches. This work provided insight into depth-related patterns in the distribution, behaviour, space use, condition, and refuge potential of reef fishes vulnerable to coral loss. Building on my interests in ecological plasticity along environmental gradients, the goal of my current NERC funded research is to further our understanding of how depth modifies the fundamental processes that drive global scale patterns in the distribution, ecology, evolution and energy dynamics underpinning tropical and temperate reef biodiversity - integrating understandings across longitude, latitude and depth.