I am currently leading a project funded by the State of Florida and Mote Marine Laboratory to develop restoration strategies for Thalassia testudinum (turtle grass), a dominant species from the Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico, to enhance resilience under current and future conditions. This project explores how genetic diversity and population-level variation in stress responses can be leveraged to improve resilience in the face of rising ocean temperatures and poor water quality. We are using a combination of controlled experiments, field plantings and broad-scale genetic analyses to assess the role of genetic diversity in ecosystem function and stress resilience across Florida.