LAW MEI TING

PhD Student

Research Title: Contemporary rates of coral reef growth in Southeast Asia
Research Group: Tropical Environmental Change (TEC)
Thesis Advisor: Prof Paul Kench
Co-advisors: Dr Gretchen Coffman, Assoc Prof Huang Danwei

Previously, I worked at the Earth Observatory of Singapore Sea Level Research group and was actively involving in local (SEA2) and overseas fieldwork projects in understanding relative sea-level changes and tectonic activities of the coastal environments (mangroves, salt marshes, coral microatolls). With these field experiences and her Masters in Biodiversity Conservation and Nature-Based Climate Solutions, she has decided to continue her research interest in understanding the impact of sea level rise to coral reefs.

My doctoral study aims to establish the contemporary growth rates of coral reef crests and reef flats. In specific, my thesis project aims to establish the following specific objectives:

contemporary growth rates of coral colonies on reef systems
quantifying net changes in reef surface elevation on contemporary reefs
evaluating reef accretion rates over the last millennia (1000 years)
projecting future reef growth potential on modern coral reef systems

Publication: Law MT, Huang D (2023). Light limitation and coral mortality in urbanised reef communities due to sea-level rise. Climate Change Ecology, 5: 100073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecochg.2023.100073