Why is biodiversity important?
Biodiversity is how we represent the variety of life on Earth, accounting for all the living things on the planet. High biodiversity can support healthy planetary life and create resilient ecosystems, allowing our planet to buffer against stressors like pollution and human-induced disturbance.
Ecosystem-first approach
I study how biodiversity can support healthy ecosystems and how to leverage the natural defenses an ecosystem has against stress to carry it into a healthy and thriving future. Through a combination of fieldwork, data science and community engagement, I work to connect in depth scientific investigation with applied solutions that help bring our ecosystems into a healthy future.
Publications and Writing
Dahl, A.D. and P.J. Edmunds. 2024. Environmental and biological determinants of the size, shape, and orientation of coral bommies in the back reef of Moorea, French Polynesia. Bulletins of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2023.0099
Dahl, A.D. 2024. A story about caution and observation on the reefs in Moorea. Short Stories About Long Term Research, Long Term Ecological Research Network. https://lternet.edu/stories/dont-stick-your-hand-in-there-a-story-about-caution-and-observation-on-the-reefs-of-moorea/
Presentations
Dahl, A.D.* and H. Young. 2026. Exploring reef resilience trajectories through community dynamics of rock-boring sea urchin, Echinometra spp. International Coral Reef Symposium [oral presentation]
Dahl, A.D.* 2026. Art in unexpected places: visualizing community dynamics through sticker design – a collaboration with community members, artists and ecologists across ecosystems. International Coral Reef Symposium [poster]
Cwikiel, S.*, Dahl, A.D., Stevenson, S., Adam, T. & D. Burkepile. 2026. Coral Community Structure Across Temperature Regimes in the Lagoon of Moorea, French Polynesia. Ocean Sciences Meeting, Glasgow, Scotland [oral presentation]
Dahl, A.D.* and H. Young. 2026. Role of Sea Urchins in Supporting Coral Reef Resilience. Ocean Sciences Meeting, Glasgow, Scotland [poster]
Dahl, A.D.* and H. Young. 2025. Exploring Drivers and Impacts of the Reef-Boring Urchin, Echinometra, on Reefs of the Indo-Pacific. Western Society of Naturalists, San Diego, CA [oral presentation]
Dahl, A.D.* and P.J. Edmunds. 2024. Habitat Fragmentation on the Backreef of Moorea. All Investigators Meeting for the Moorea Coral Reef LTER. Santa Barbara, CA [oral presentation]
Dahl, A.D.* and P.J. Edmunds. 2024. Transient Dynamics on Settlement tiles in St. John, US Virgin Islands. Western Society of Naturalists, Portland, OR [oral presentation]
Dahl, A.D.* and P.J. Edmunds. 2024. The Role of Habitat Fragmentation in Coral Diversity in Moorea, French Polynesia and St. John, US Virgin Islands. Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, LA [eLightning presentation]
Dahl, A.D.*, and P.J. Edmunds. 2023. The Relationship Between Habitat Fragmentation and Coral Diversity in Moorea, French Polynesia and St. John, US Virgin Islands. Western Society of Naturalists, Monterey, CA [oral presentation]
Dahl, A.D.* 2023. Importance of Biodiversity on a Coral Reef. Viewpoint School, Northridge, CA. [invited presentation]
Dahl, A.D.* 2023. Importance of Science Communication in a Digital World. Campbell Hall School, Northridge, CA. [invited presentation]
Dahl, A.D.*, K. Scafidi, and P.J. Edmunds. 2023. Investigating Effects of Bommie Size and Distribution on Corals in Moorea’s Shallow Backreef. Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium, NUS, Singapore [poster]
Dahl, A.D.* 2023. Exploring the Role of Habitat Fragmentation on Biodiversity in a Patch Reef. CSUNposium, California State University, Northridge, CA [oral presentation]
Dahl, A.D.*, K. Scafidi , and P.J. Edmunds. 2022. Coral Distribution on Bommies in Moorea, French Polynesia. Western Society of Naturalists, Oxnard, CA [poster]
Dahl, A.D.* 2022. Marine Biology and Biological Diversity. Viewpoint School, Northridge, CA. [invited presentation]
Read more about Biodiversity
Scientific Papers:
Cardinale, B. J. et al. (2012). Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity. Nature, 486(7401), 59–67. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11148
Chesson, P. (2000). Mechanisms of Maintenance of Species Diversity. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 31(1), 343–366. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.31.1.343
Levin, S. A. (2000). Multiple Scales and the Maintenance of Biodiversity. Ecosystems, 3, 498–506. https://doi.org/10.1007s100210000044
MacArthur, R. H., & Wilson, E. O. (1967). The theory of island biogeography. Princeton University Press.
Scheffer, M., Van Nes, E. H., & Vergnon, R. (2018). Toward a unifying theory of biodiversity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(4), 639–641. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1721114115
Wilson, E. O. (1985). The Biological Diversity Crisis. BioScience, 35(11), 700–706. https://doi.org/10.2307/1310051
Biodiversity in the Ocean:
Hughes, T. P. et al. (2003). Climate Change, Human Impacts, and the Resilience of Coral Reefs. Science, 301(5635), 929–933. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1085046
Sala, E., & Knowlton, N. (2006). Global Marine Biodiversity Trends. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 31(1), 93–122. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.31.020105.100235
Stachowicz, J. et al. (2007). Understanding the Effects of Marine Biodiversity on Communities and Ecosystems. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 38(1), 739–766. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.38.091206.095659
Stella, J. et al. (2011). Coral-associated invertebrates: Diversity, ecological importance and vulnerability to disturbance. In J. Gordon (Ed.), Oceanography and Marine Biology (Vol. 20115434). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/b11009-3
Biodiversity in the news:
Biodiversity Optimism: Hope for Hitting Biodiversity Targets
The Invasive Plant Taking Over Iceland’s Biodiverse Native Grasses