Articles tagged with Coral Reefs
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
A new study found that coral reefs in Palau's naturally acidic waters are thriving, despite the expected negative impacts of ocean acidification. However, increased bioerosion was observed, threatening the long-term survival of these ecosystems. The research team hopes to better understand how corals adapt to low pH conditions.
Researchers found that no-take marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef significantly reduced coral disease levels, four times lower inside reserves compared to outside. The study highlights the benefits of marine reserves for enhancing coral health and managing fishing-related damage.
A recent PNAS study reports that the stress-tolerant alga Symbiodinium trenchii is not native to the Caribbean but was introduced from the Pacific Ocean. This finding raises concerns about the long-term damage it could cause on coral reefs, which cover only a small percentage of the world's oceans.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society presents a more complex model that incorporates multiple environmental factors and field observations to predict coral reef resilience. The model challenges traditional 'temperature threshold' predictions, suggesting a more nuanced and spatially complex future for coral reefs.
A new study suggests that geoengineering techniques, such as Solar Radiation Management, can reduce the risk of global severe bleaching and degradation of coral reefs. The research found that even under ambitious CO2 reduction scenarios, widespread coral bleaching will occur by the middle of this century.
Researchers found that coral adaptation to high salinity levels in the southern Persian/Arabian Gulf may prevent them from escaping their fate through global warming. Corals lose their exceptional heat stress tolerance when adapting to normal salinity levels.
Cold-water coral reefs, found in subarctic waters, are known for their vast biodiversity and ability to turn over carbon. Recent advances in underwater technology have enabled researchers to investigate these hidden reefs, revealing significant damage caused by deep-sea trawling and ocean warming.
Research links environmental factors to Great Barrier Reef's eight-thousand-year growth slowdown, highlighting the need for conservation efforts in the face of projected port expansions and nutrient runoff. The study suggests a two-thousand-year delay in reef growth following sea level rise and flooding of pre-existing reefs.
Climate model projections show that conditions are likely to increase the frequency and severity of coral disease outbreaks. The research team also compares their model outputs with expected future changes in the more widely publicized impact of coral bleaching.
A recent study published in Geology has shown that parrotfish play a pivotal role in providing the sands necessary to build and maintain coral reef islands. The research found that parrotfish produced over 85% of the new sand-grade sediment on reefs around island communities in the Maldives.
A new coral-dwelling gall crab, Lithoscaptus semperi, was discovered inhabiting free-living corals of the species Trachyphyllia geoffroyi on sandy bottoms near coral reefs. The study highlights the need to protect coral reefs, with the newly designated Tun Mustapha Park being a priority.
Research reveals that removing predatory fish through fishing causes significant changes to the reef's fish populations, altering the balance of the ecosystem. The study supports the continued use of marine reserves, which are effective in preserving predator numbers.
Coral reefs can recover if a minimum target of 500 kilograms of fish biomass per hectare is maintained. The study found that most degraded reefs lack key species and require time for recovery, with estimated times ranging from 35 to 59 years.
A global study found that nearly 83% of fished coral reefs have lost more than half their fish biomass, highlighting the need for effective management and conservation strategies. Marine reserves can recover fish populations in approximately 35 years, while heavily depleted reefs take around 60 years to recover.
Scientists outline a six-point plan to restore the Great Barrier Reef through better policies on science, protection, and conservation. The plan includes measures to reduce stressors such as fishing, pollution, and coastal development, as well as transitioning away from fossil fuels and limiting coal port development.
The new research provides fine-scale projections of coral bleaching, showing great variety in the timing and location of these effects. Coral reefs projected to experience bleaching conditions later can be conservation priorities.
A new study examines human impact on Pacific coral reefs, finding significant reductions in fish biomass at most reefs due to human presence. The analysis of nearly 40 islands and atolls reveals that even low levels of human influence can cause substantial declines in fish abundance.