Thanks to a generous gift from our donors Mrs. Connie and Mr. Garner Koons, the Koons-Ayala Marine Fisheries Science & Conservation Endowment is already making waves. Its very first grant recipient Taylor Hill is leading important research to help protect Florida’s reef fish and coral ecosystems.
Taylor, a graduate student at the University of Central Florida, is studying how reef fish populations are connected across the state’s coastal waters and coral reefs. Her research is focused on how these connections may shift as the oceans warm.
She is currently building models to predict where key reef fish species will live in the future based on different climate scenarios. She is also analyzing fish DNA to understand how different populations are related and which have adapted to their local environments. This kind of information is vital for protecting genetic diversity and helping vulnerable populations recover.
Taylor is also using genetic data to estimate where fish larvae settle after drifting in the ocean. By mapping their dispersal patterns, she can identify the areas that are most critical for fish reproduction and population connectivity. That knowledge can guide smarter decisions about where to place artificial reefs or how to design marine protected areas.
“Florida’s reefs are a foundation for both marine life and the people who depend on them,” said Taylor. “Knowing my research can make a tangible difference for the future of our reefs drives everything I do.”
Taylor’s work would not be possible without the support of the Koons-Ayala Endowment. It is also made stronger by the Florida anglers who are contributing samples to help researchers like her. Together, they are helping ensure healthy fisheries for the future.
