Karina Scavo Lord

Current Research

I work closely with the Finnerty lab and Novak lab on two main research themes:

Coral adaptation and resilience – My research focuses on coral resistance and resilience in light of anthropogenic local and global stressors. Specifically, we investigate the role that mangroves and other non-reef habitats (e.g., seagrass meadows) play in coral survival and evolution. We seek to investigate how corals inhabit these environmentally distinct habitat types, and how they affect coral life history, behavior, and interactions at the micro and macro level. This work contributes to understanding the ecological interdependencies within the tropical seascape and highlights the potential for these habitats to serve as refugia or “resilience reservoirs” for corals under threat from global change. We conduct this work on Turneffe Atoll, Belize.

Eelgrass resilience and restoration – My research focuses on investigating the physiological responses and genomic underpinnings of thermal tolerance of populations of the eelgrass (Zostera marina) across the eastern U.S. We aim to understand if and how these populations adapt to rising temperatures and variable environmental conditions, which has direct implications for conservation and habitat restoration. This research not only provides insights into eelgrass resilience but also informs the design and implementation of effective restoration and monitoring programs to support the health of coastal ecosystems.

I am also seeking to conduct research in the subtidal and/or intertidal ecosystems in local New England waters. If you are interested in hearing more, please feel free to reach out!

Selected Publications

· Scavo Lord K, Lesneski KC, Buston P, Davies S, D’Aloia C, and Finnerty JR (2023). Rampant asexual reproduction and limited dispersal in a mangrove population of the coral Porites divaricata. Proc Royal Soc Lond B 290:20231070.

· Scavo Lord K, Lesneski KC, Bengtsson ZA, Kuhn KM, Madin J, Cheung B, Ewa R, Taylor JF, Burmester EM, Morey J, Kaufman L, and Finnerty JR (2020). Multi-year viability of a reef coral population living on mangrove roots suggests an important role for mangroves in the broader habitat mosaic of corals. Front Mar Sci 7:377.

· Novak AB, Gerstenbacher CM, Rotjan RD, Scavo Lord K, and Rotjan RD. 2024. Microplastic Abundance and Accumulation Patterns in Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Meadows Throughout Coastal Massachusetts. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 196:775. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12943-1.

· Scavo Lord K, Barcala A∓, Aichelman H, Kriefal N, Brown C ∓, Knasin L ∓, Sector R ∓, Tone C ∓, Tsang L ∓, and Finnerty JR. (2021). Distinct phenotypes associated with mangrove and lagoon habitats in two widespread Caribbean corals, Porites astreoides and Porites divaricata. The Biological Bulletin 240: https://doi.org/10.1086/714047.

Courses Taught:

• MR 500: Marine Intertidal Ecology
• MR 500: Corals Across the Seascape
• MR 533: Scientific Diving
• BI 306: Biology of Global Change