Tiny aquatic creatures called Cloudina built reefs in ancient seas using natural cement composed of calcium carbonate. Their fossilized remains are the oldest reefs of their type in the world, dating back to the Ediacaran Period.
Soft coral tissue has been found to protect reef skeletons from declining pH levels, potentially providing a new approach to preserving coral reefs. The study, published in PLOS One, highlights the resilience of soft corals and their potential role in maintaining the health of coral reefs.
A recent study reveals that Caribbean corals and their algae form a stable relationship, which could be used to restore healthy coral in heat-damaged reefs. The research found that individual coral colonies often harbor only one strain of algae, suggesting that this partnership may not adapt to climate change.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that feeding juvenile corals prior to transplantation significantly improved their survival rates. Coral recruits fed with a higher amount of food grew faster and larger than unfed corals, leading to higher post-transplantation survivorship.
Coral reefs support 25% to 35% of ocean fish, providing protein for millions. Ecologist study reveals how corals respond to high water temperatures by expelling heat-sensitive algae, which can have long-term consequences.
A new study reveals that coral reefs provide substantial protection against natural hazards, reducing wave energy by an average of 97%. The restoration and conservation of coral reefs is a cost-effective solution to reduce risks from coastal hazards and climate change, benefiting hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
Coral reefs are experiencing a decline in connectivity due to rising ocean temperatures, with more coral babies staying on birth reefs. This shift has both positive and negative implications for reef systems and their ability to recover from disturbances.
Research suggests that rising ocean temperatures will lead to a decrease in inter-reef connectivity and coral diversity. As reefs retain more of their own coral larvae, they may recover faster from disturbances but also become more vulnerable to climate change.
A new research from the University of Southampton has identified a coral-eating flatworm as a potential threat to coral reefs. The researchers found that the small flatworm could cause significant damage to coral reefs due to its ability to mimic the appearance of its hosts.
A new study reveals that reef fish diversified into two distinct groups of fish, with the first group arriving around 70-90 million years ago, during a time when coral reefs were built by mollusks called rudists. By 50 million years ago, modern coral reefs and their inhabitants had largely taken shape.
A recent study by NOAA scientists reveals that the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands' deep coral reefs contain nearly 50% of fish species unique to Hawaii, surpassing any other marine ecosystem. The discovery highlights the need for further conservation efforts and exploration of these largely unexplored ecosystems.
Coral reefs face declining health due to nutrient pollution. Scientists emphasize that too many nutrients can harm corals more than a lack of them. Understanding nutrient competition is crucial for developing effective management strategies.
A four-year study tracked the migratory patterns of 33 tiger sharks across the Coral Sea. Coastal marine parks offer limited protection to these apex predators, whereas oceanic reefs are crucial for their ecology and require prioritization in conservation efforts.
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies has been awarded $28m for research on sustainable coral reef management. The centre will focus on understanding the interaction between coral reefs and people, with a goal to foster their sustainable use.
A new study by Wildlife Conservation Society reveals that protecting Fiji's forests near the sea is crucial for preserving coral reefs. The study found that terrestrial protected areas benefit both land and coastal ecosystems, highlighting the importance of integrated planning.
A team of marine biologists has discovered that previously unrecognized species diversity was hiding some corals' ability to respond to climate change. The researchers found that two separate lineages of coral, which look deceivingly similar, have different genetic makeup and survival strategies.
A global assessment reveals that fishing has reduced vital seaweed-eating fish by more than 50%, compromising coral reef health. The study highlights the importance of protecting these key species to preserve ecosystem balance.
A three-year experiment found that elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus lead to double the prevalence of disease and tripled bleaching. However, corals recovered rapidly once pollution was stopped.
Researchers studied coral skeletons at the nanoscale, revealing three distinct regions formed daily. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for protecting coral reefs from acidification and rising temperatures.
A new study suggests that coral reefs can adapt to moderate climate warming if there are significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The research found that corals have already adapted to part of the warming that has occurred over the past 40 to 60 years, and could potentially reduce bleaching by 20-80% through genetic adaptation.
Researchers have discovered coral animals produce dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP), a molecule that helps protect them against heat stress and influences cloud formation. This finding could be crucial for regulating local climate and mitigating the effects of rising seawater temperatures.
Scientists at Hebrew University and Bar-Ilan University found that Eilat's corals are more resilient than other sites due to a 'warm-water barrier' in the Red Sea. This barrier allows only heat-tolerant genotypes of corals to enter, making it a unique refuge for coral reefs.
A new study reveals a direct correlation between ancient reef abundance and decapod crustacean diversity. Modern reef decline may lead to a 50% decrease in crustacean species, affecting human food sources and marine ecosystems. The study's findings suggest that reefs promote the evolution of diverse crustacean populations.
A decline in shark populations leads to a decrease in herbivorous fishes, promoting algae growth on coral reefs. This study highlights the critical role sharks play in maintaining reef health and underscores the need for conservation efforts to protect these apex predators.
A study suggests that shark populations are declining due to commercial fishing, leading to a decrease in herbivorous fish that promote reef health. This has fundamental effects on the structure of food chains and ecosystem resilience.
The OceanCube Observatories are designed to understand changes in species, nutrients, and energy within a controlled cube-shaped volume of water. The system provides real-time data on temperature, salinity, and other chemical, biological, and physical data critical to understanding coral reef ecosystem health.
A new study investigates why gorgonian corals, which can form a 'canopy' over reefs, appear to be proliferating in certain places. Preliminary data suggests that gorgonian coral density has been increasing on shallow reefs surrounding St. John, even as stony corals have declined.
Researchers suggest that extreme events like tropical storms and cloudy weather can trigger coral regrowth on degraded reefs. By adopting a more resilient management approach, it may be possible to restore living coral cover to these systems.
Computer models predict coral reef ecosystem shifts due to warming and acidification, with the Western Pacific becoming less suitable by 2070. Coral Triangle biodiversity is also at risk, while some areas like the eastern Pacific may remain suitable.
A new study models how baby corals disperse in the world's oceans to understand their responses to changing sea conditions. The researchers used a computer model to simulate the paths of coral larvae worldwide, revealing that some may travel thousands of kilometers across open ocean.
A new simulation model reveals coral larvae's long-distance journeys across the world's seas, with some traveling up to 9,000 km. The study provides insights into coral reef distributions and potential effects of climate change.
New research reveals that baby corals can survive in acidic conditions, but adult corals may face significant challenges. Ocean acidification could impede the ability of adult corals to build skeletons and grow.
Researchers have discovered a new species of table coral, Acropora cytherea, in Hawaiian waters. The coral was found to be 14 years old and is believed to be colonizing O'ahu reefs from neighboring islands.
A new coral reef species, Echinophyllia tarae, has been discovered in the Gambier Islands of French Polynesia. The species is a zooxanthellate coral that grows on dead coral fragments and contributes to coral reef formation.
Researchers discovered that bacteria and algae played a crucial role in the disappearance of coral-stromatoporoid reefs before 370 Ma, leading to insights into modern coral bleaching. This study sheds light on the devastating impact of blooming bacteria and algae on ancient reef ecosystems.
A multidisciplinary study investigates the effects of anthropogenic influences on coral reefs, focusing on microbial dynamics and their impact on coral health. The research explores intricate interactions between microbes, coral, algae, and fish, revealing key insights into the delicate balance of these ecosystems.
Researchers propose targeted cloud brightening as a means to lower sea temperatures and reduce coral bleaching. The technique, which involves seeding marine clouds with tiny seawater droplets, could provide a 50-year reprieve for coral reefs threatened by acidification and warming.
A new study finds that all existing coral reefs will be engulfed in inhospitable ocean chemistry conditions if civilization continues on its current emissions trajectory. Deep cuts in emissions are necessary to sustain even a fraction of existing reefs.
Coral reefs are more vulnerable to disruption and erosion due to ocean acidification, which reduces the density of coral skeletons. The study found that corals cannot fully acclimate to low pH conditions in nature.
Coral reefs experience reduced calcification rates due to ocean acidification, making them more vulnerable to erosion and disruption. Corals are unable to fully acclimate to low pH conditions in nature.
Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered the biological process of how corals create their skeletons, which form massive and ecologically vital coral reefs. The study found that specific proteins produced by corals can form limestones, even in more acidic water, suggesting coral reefs may survive ocean acidification.
A 17-year study on coral colonies off South America reveals the devastating impact of El Niño on coral diversity and density. The study found that it took 13 years for the coral reef system in Brazil to recover from the event, highlighting their vulnerability to climate-related changes.
A study models the distribution and abundance of six dominant Hawaiian coral species, predicting that Porites lobata is the most abundant around the main Hawaiian Islands. Environmental factors such as wave energy, seafloor shape, and island age influence coral cover, with highest concentrations found in wave-sheltered coastlines.
Coral-building microbes have been found to capture, store, and release nitrogen to feed reef-forming corals. The microbes' ability to store excess nitrogen in crystal form allows them to regulate the amount of nutrients available to the coral host, enabling it to thrive in low-nitrogen environments.
Researchers found that limiting greenhouse warming to three watts per square metre can slow coral reef habitat loss. However, artificial temperature regulation through solar radiation geoengineering may have unintended consequences on tropical corals.
Coral reefs face declining health due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing. However, researchers suggest that proactive measures can prevent their collapse, emphasizing the importance of reef function and local management.
Researchers discovered that corals' skeletons scatter light differently, affecting algae retention and survival. This phenomenon helps predict coral reef response to climate change stressors, shedding light on preservation strategies.
A study found that airborne particles from volcanic activity and air pollution slow coral growth in the Caribbean. Coral skeletons preserve records of growth, which corresponded closely to sea surface temperatures and light levels.
Researchers found that fine particles in air pollution shade corals from sunlight, cooling surrounding waters and reducing growth rates. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, links coral growth to particulate pollution in the atmosphere.
A long-term study shows that isolated coral reefs like Scott Reef in Western Australia can recover from severe disturbances without relying on neighboring reefs. The reef's isolation allowed surviving corals to rapidly grow and propagate, ultimately recovering within 12 years.
Coral reefs are evaluated using fluorescence levels which decrease with stress and increase before bleaching, making it a non-invasive early indicator of coral health. This novel method improves on current testing technologies and could aid in reef conservation efforts.
The research team will develop an integrated model of coral reef development to link climate change, sea level, tectonics, and reef growth rates. The findings will provide a record of tropical climates and coral reef growth.
A new study projects that most coral reefs will experience annual bleaching events by 2045, with a quarter experiencing them up to five years earlier. Reducing carbon emissions can delay these events in nearly a quarter of reef areas for over two decades.
A recent study using underwater video cameras has identified four species of herbivorous fish as the primary cleaners of coral reefs in the South Pacific. These fish are highly picky eaters and target specific types of seaweeds, highlighting the importance of biodiversity for reef health.
Researchers at National Oceanography Centre and New York University Abu Dhabi discovered corals can thrive at high seawater temperatures, up to 36 degrees Celsius. The study found special algae strains that facilitate this heat resistance, providing new insights into coral survival and potential for reef conservation.
Researchers have discovered that Caribbean coral reefs are facing a significant threat due to reduced rates of carbonate production, leading to erosion and loss of growth potential. The study found that reefs in shallow waters have declined by 60-70% in growth rates compared to historical records.
The Säcken reef in Sweden's Koster Fjord is threatened by trawling and sedimentation, with a recent study showing it is isolated from nearby reefs. To combat this, researchers are introducing healthy corals from Norway to aid in the reef's restoration.
A new cave-dwelling reef coral species, Leptoseris troglodyta, has been discovered in the Indo-Pacific region. This species differs from its relatives by its small polyp size and lack of symbiotic algae, providing insights into coral-algal symbiosis.
The Great Barrier Reef has lost over half its coral cover in the last 27 years, primarily due to intense tropical cyclones, population explosions of Crown-of-thorns starfish, and two severe coral bleaching events. The study highlights the need for action to control crown of thorns populations.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that overgrown algae can bring unwanted pathogens, choke off oxygen, and disrupt helpful bacteria on coral reefs. The study reveals a 'slippery slope to slime' where increased algae growth leads to decreased coral growth rates and altered bacterial communities.