Articles tagged with Coral Reefs
A novel imaging technique using µCT scans has revealed that coral reefs are more vulnerable to bioerosion than previously thought, with changes in ocean pH having a significant impact on reef growth and breakdown. The study provides new insights into the complex relationships between environmental conditions and reef processes.
Researchers found that no-take marine reserves are less impacted and recover faster than unprotected reefs. Well-designed reserves provide benefits for non-target species and wider ecosystem processes.
Researchers are studying coral genomes to better comprehend why some reefs thrive while others die, with implications for Guam's economy and tourism industry. The new genetic sequencer will enable local scientists to tackle molecular reef ecology and train the next generation of researchers.
A new global database allows scientists to quickly address unresolved questions about coral reefs. The Coral Trait Database houses physiological, morphological, ecological, phylogenetic, and biogeographic trait information.
New research highlights the key role of existing coral reef biodiversity in facilitating rapid adaptation to climate change. The study found that natural selection of existing biodiversity is essential for coping with rising seawater temperatures and other stressors threatening coral reefs.
Caribbean coral reefs face mounting pressure from global warming, local pollution, and over-fishing of herbivorous fish. A new study suggests that implementing size limits and catch limits can help maintain reef resilience. The research provides tools for fisheries managers to revise current practices and sustain fishers' livelihoods.
A new approach to studying coral reefs suggests that multiple stressors, such as ocean temperature and acidification, can have devastating effects on corals. The researchers recommend a global strategy for choosing locations for larger field-based experiments to inform adaptation policies.
Using tiny bubbles in seawater can help reduce acidity and promote coral growth, potentially saving the world's largest reef systems. The technique could provide a cost-effective solution to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Researchers propose transforming Guantánamo Bay into a marine research center and international peace park, uniting the US and Cuba in joint management. The proposal aims to protect coral reefs, marine life, and promote sustainable development.
Researchers found that viruses opt for 'piggyback-the-winner' strategy, integrating into hosts to reduce replication and avoid immunity defenses. This model better explains virus-host dynamics during microbial population booms.
A new experimental platform is providing new insights into the complex problem of coral decline. The 'coral on a chip' system allows scientists to examine living coral polyps in the lab under controlled conditions.
A recent study found that ocean acidification is already affecting coral reefs, causing them to grow slower than they did in preindustrial conditions. The research, published in Nature, manipulated seawater chemistry in a natural coral-reef community to determine the impact of excess carbon dioxide on coral reef growth.
Coral reefs are already experiencing slower growth due to ocean acidification, which is causing coral calcification rates to decrease. The study found that increasing the pH of seawater can stimulate calcification rates.
Scientists have found that ocean acidification is already slowing coral reef growth, with the potential for widespread devastation if left unchecked. Researchers manipulated seawater chemistry in a natural ecosystem to determine the impact of excess CO2 on coral reefs.
The current global coral bleaching event, started in 2014, could extend into 2017 due to record ocean temperatures caused by El Niño. Corals are stressed when expelling symbiotic algae, leading to erosion and destruction of fish habitats.
Researchers found that most coral reef sharks consume small prey items, such as fish and molluscs, and often go hungry between meals. The study's findings suggest that reef sharks are opportunistic eaters, not always consuming large quantities of food.
A study by Rice University and Oregon State University found that significant marine virus outbreaks may be associated with coral bleaching events, especially due to multiple environmental stresses. Viral groups, including a herpes-like virus, were detected in corals undergoing bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Island Mass Effect hypothesis explains why seas surrounding islands are more productive. Phytoplankton growth creates a self-sustaining cycle, supporting life from small fish to top predators.
A global analysis reveals coral reefs under less protection due to proximity to human settlements. Conservation efforts may be misdirected towards isolated reefs that naturally receive more protection.
A study found that viral infections, including a herpes-like virus, contributed to coral bleaching events, particularly under high temperatures and environmental stresses. The research suggests that viruses may play an important role in coral disease, especially when combined with other stressors.
Researchers determine when coral died with precision of up to one to two years, revealing dramatic loss of coral cover near Bowen, Queensland. The study provides a benchmark for monitoring the recovery of these reefs.
Researchers have raised laboratory-bred colonies of a threatened Caribbean coral species to sexual maturity, reproducing simultaneously with their natural population. This breakthrough technique increases genetic diversity and provides new hope for the recovery of dwindling elkhorn coral populations.
More than three quarters of Australians consider the Great Barrier Reef part of their national identity, and nearly 90% believe it is under threat from climate change. The survey also found that many Australians feel personally connected to the reef's protection.
Native forests reduce flood frequency and severity, while coral reefs provide a 97% cost-effective defense from storm surges. The cost of adaptation could reach $100 billion per year, but intact ecosystems offer the best defense against climate change.
Researchers have discovered that the shape of a fish's tail is a key predictor of its ability to live across different depths on coral reefs. Fish with more forked tails are better adapted to survive in both shallow and deep habitats, thanks to their stealth swimming capabilities.
A new study by Dartmouth researchers reveals that the type of fishing gear used has a significant impact on the amount of fish caught, as well as the social dynamics between fishermen. The study found that fishermen who use compressor divers tend to catch more fish and have less cohesion within their communities.
A study found that butterflyfishes overwhelmingly avoid corals with seaweed contact, suggesting chemical cues produced by seaweed alter coral palatability. This shift in behavior could have ripple effects on the entire ecosystem, impacting food supply and tourism opportunities.
Scientists have discovered two critically endangered species of sea snakes off the coast of Western Australia, including the short-nosed and leaf-scaled sea snakes. The discoveries were made in Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay, raising hopes for conservation efforts to protect these unique species.
Researchers found that coral communities on most of the reefs had recovered rapidly from a major bleaching event. However, reefs dominated by branching and table corals are vulnerable to higher sea surface temperatures, threatening their growth potential.
A study published in Royal Society's journal found that marine conservation projects can have unequal impacts on different community groups, such as men vs women or the elderly. The researchers suggest tailoring projects to address these disparities and promote more effective poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability.
Researchers analyzed coral genome samples from the Ryukyu Archipelago, revealing 4 distinct groups corresponding to geographical locations. The findings suggest that coral populations repopulated themselves after 1998 bleaching, contradicting previous assumptions about long-distance larval migration.
A new University of Florida study suggests that coral reefs may be more vulnerable to nutrient pollution from human activities, even with the presence of herbivores. The research highlights the need for a holistic approach to protecting these ecosystems.
The Great Barrier Reef is proving to be a valuable natural defense against landslide-induced tsunamis, according to new research. The reef's ability to absorb wave energy has been shown to reduce the impact of such events on coastal communities.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers developed a computational approach to assess the aesthetic appeal of coral reefs, finding that objective visual cues are correlated with the health and beauty of reef ecosystems. The study provides a cost-effective tool for monitoring coral reef communities and targets their natural beauty.
Researchers found that when damselfish release chemical alarm cues on coral reefs, additional predators are attracted, allowing prey a greater chance of escape. This mechanism boosts the sender's survival rate by about 40 percent.
A study found that oxybenzone in sunscreen is toxic to coral reefs, causing DNA damage and deforming larvae. The researchers recommend wearing rash guards or scuba wetsuits without hygienic products when diving to help protect the reefs.
A Tel Aviv University study finds that oxybenzone, a common chemical in sunscreen lotions, is highly toxic to juvenile corals, causing coral bleaching, DNA damage, and death. Concentrations as low as 62 parts per trillion pose an ecological threat.
A team of marine scientists discovered four new deep-water coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean using predictive mathematical models. The reefs were identified at depths of up to 1.2km west of Ireland and confirmed during a two-week expedition using an underwater robot.
Researchers found the fossil record of the earliest North American coral species that reappeared after a mass extinction event, providing insights into survival and recovery. The study reveals that corals took over 20 million years to recover from the event, which was likely caused by massive global climate change.
Researchers have found that pairs of rabbitfishes coordinate their vigilance activity to provide safety for one partner while the other feeds, presenting evidence for reciprocal cooperation. This behavior is unique among fishes and suggests that cooperation may not be exclusive to highly developed organisms.
A new study measures coral-reef ecosystem condition, predicts key threats, and evaluates human stressors in Micronesia. The results reveal only 42% of major reef habitats exceed thresholds for conservation efforts.
Researchers at James Cook University have developed a new method using household vinegar to kill the Crown of Thorns Starfish, a major contributor to coral reef decline. The treatment shows a 100% kill rate and is significantly cheaper than existing methods.
A new study by WCS found that coral reef diversity 'hotspots' in the southwestern Indian Ocean prioritize fish biomass over location for conservation. Reefs with high fish biomass (>600 kg/ha) should be prioritized for protection.
A new coral reef crustacean species, L. eltoni, was discovered by Dr. James Thomas in Indonesia and later confirmed in Hawaiian waters, serving as an example of an invasive species. The discovery emphasizes the importance of regular environmental monitoring to track such incidents.
Seaweeds appear to protect coral from invasive sea stars by reducing predation and providing a physical barrier. This complex relationship highlights the intricate dynamics of ecosystems and has implications for coral reef conservation.
A team of researchers, led by Dr. Nicole Fogarty, will investigate why hybrid corals are thriving while their parental species decline, with potential implications for saving the staghorn and elkhorn corals.
Coral reef scientists warn that even with a successful Paris climate conference, ocean warming and acidification will continue beyond the end of this century, potentially leading to the extinction of coral reefs. Experts call for more aggressive emissions reduction plans to stabilize CO2 at 350ppm or lower to give reefs a chance.
A new study from Florida Tech suggests that well-managed coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean can keep up with sea-level rise through vertical growth, but only if carbon dioxide levels stay below 670 parts-per million. If emissions exceed this threshold, even healthy reefs will struggle to adapt.
Coral reefs are under pressure from climate change, which may reduce their ability to protect tropical islands against wave attack and erosion. The study suggests that coasts fronted by relatively narrow reefs with steep faces and deeper reef flats will experience the highest wave runup and greatest potential for island flooding.
A new study found that mountainous star corals at depths of nearly 140 feet can produce one trillion more eggs per square kilometer than shallow-water counterparts. This discovery has significant implications for the future of coral reefs worldwide, as it suggests that deeper waters may offer reproductive refuge to threatened species.
A recent study has identified 53 key genes involved in fish's ability to adapt to warmer temperatures over multiple generations. The research found that metabolic and immune genes play a crucial role in enabling fish to cope with higher temperatures, improving their chances of survival in a changing climate.
Researchers from the Smithsonian Institution have discovered a new species of goby fish that differs significantly from its relatives in terms of size, color, and habitat depth. The study highlights the importance of exploring deep-sea reefs to understand the true extent of tropical reef biodiversity.
A new study found that releasing larvae more often helps stabilize species population networks on coral reefs. The study, using a computer model, showed that frequent spawning drives connectivity between distant populations, stabilizing the network.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective way to help ecosystems recover from human disturbances like shipping and fishing. The method uses ecological traits like resilience to optimize connections between populations, enabling conservation staff to make informed decisions about recovery plans.
A new genus and species of octocoral with an aragonite calcium-carbonate skeleton has been discovered in Okinawa, Japan, closely related to the 'living fossil' blue coral. The species, named Nanipora kamurai, was found in a shallow coral reef at a depth of less than 1m.
Scientists discover corals are already adapting to global warming through genetic variants that allow them to tolerate warmer waters. By exchanging coral immigrants, humans can help spread these heat-tolerant genes and boost reef survival.
Researchers from the University of Southampton and international partners discovered glowing corals with a range of fluorescent colours in deep waters of the Red Sea. The team hopes that these pigments could be developed into new imaging tools for medical applications.
Satellites are now used to monitor coral reef health, providing near-real time data and long-term forecasts of tropical conditions. This information helps identify early warning signs of coral decline and loss due to natural and human-caused pressures.
Researchers found suspended sediment harms fish gills, reducing oxygen intake and triggering diseases. This study highlights the need for coastal developments to consider sediment's impact on reef ecosystems.
A new study has found that coral reefs in Palau are showing few of the predicted responses to low pH caused by ocean acidification. Instead, these reefs exhibit increased bio-erosion, but also host more species and have greater coral cover than in other naturally low pH reef systems.