Astrangia poculata is a temperate species of coral found along the East Coast of North America, ranging from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico. It has a facultative relationship with its zooxanthellae and, unlike many tropical species of coral, does not need to be inhabited by zooxanthellae to remain healthy; it can survive solely on food obtained by suspension feeding. I am studying the effect of decreased salinity and increased temperature on the health of A. poculata from the Gulf of Mexico (Florida) and Buzzards Bay (Massachusetts). While other studies have examined the effect of temperature on A. poculata, the impacts of both decreased salinity and increased temperature have not been extensively studied. This question is particularly important because we are simultaneously seeing an increase in global sea surface temperatures and an increase in the intensity and frequency of storms. These storms can lower salinity in coastal waters where A. poculata are found. I am slowly increasing temperature over time from 18°C to approximately 30°C and lowering the salinity from 35 ppt to about 15ppt. The controls are held at a constant of 18°C and 35 ppt, which are considered optimal conditions for this species. Some colonies are subjected to the change in temperature, others exposed to the change in salinity, and some are exposed to combined increased temperature and decreased salinity. A. poculata health is measured through the number and density of zooxanthellae, which are counted using a hemocytometer on a fluorescent microscope at 400x, the color changes associated with zooxanthellae loss, and polyp death. For asymbiotic polyps, growth is measured throughout the experiment as a determinant of health. This research project will help to fill the knowledge gap regarding the temperature and salinity tolerances of A. poculata.