Daniel Okamoto

Recovery of endangered sunflower sea stars may play key role in restoring devastated submarine forests

Scientists working to understand the decimation of kelp forests on the Pacific Coast have found that the endangered sunflower sea star plays a vital role in maintaining the region’s ecological balance and that sea star recovery efforts could potentially help restore kelp forests as well. The multi-institution team, which includes Florida State University Assistant Professor […]

FSU-led team earns National Science Foundation grant to study effects of heat waves on sea urchins

A team of researchers, led by a Florida State University biologist, has received a $1.1 million National Science Foundation grant to better understand how rapid and extreme warming events impact the reproduction of sea urchins. Daniel Okamoto, an assistant professor in FSU’s Department of Biological Science and principal investigator for the grant, and his team […]

Climate change linked to more flowery tropical forests, FSU study shows

New research from a Florida State University scientist has revealed a surprising relationship between surging atmospheric carbon dioxide and flower blooms in a remote tropical forest. FSU researchers studying the rich tropical forests of Panama’s Barro Colorado Island found that climbing rates of carbon dioxide have set the stage for a multidecade increase in overall […]