Biocomplexity research at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will focus on areas of biodiversity, ecosystem connectivity, and biocomplexity-related coastal oceanography. Biocomplexity in the Caribbean Coral Reefs (BCCR) provides a comprehensive mosaic of biological and physical interactions at the ecosystem level. Geographical information system (GIS) capabilities of the university's conservation data center will be utilized to integrate data from the research and provide the spatial pattern analysis of Caribbean coral reefs needed for BCCR research. EPSCoR supported research infrastructure improvements will enhance the study of biocomplexity, strengthen undergraduate research activities, develop appropriate graduate programs, and improve the supporting information technology and geographic information systems at the university, broadly impacting the research enterprise and the community.
The education and human resources component seeks to strengthen teacher professional development in math and science, increase the number and quality of undergraduates majoring in science and pursuing research experiences, and increase the linkages between K-16 students and science curriculum with the research faculty at the University of the Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands EPSCoR (VI-EPSCoR) program will undertake an intensive planning effort involving biocomplexity research and education to further gain expertise in coral reef conservation at national and international levels and graduate program development in marine science. The supplemental planning contributes to UVI's current efforts to sustain research activities and infrastructure improvements.
The Biocomplexity in Caribbean Coral Reefs focus area relies on the University's strengths in marine sciences and the unique natural advantages of the Islands' central location within the Eastern Caribbean. The ultimate goal is to foster competitive research and education initiatives for the U. S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
