Articles tagged with Coral Reefs
A new study published in Marine Ecology Progress Series found that cleaner water improves the resilience of coral reefs to climate change in the Florida Keys. Corals living in cleaner waters with fewer nutrients were shown to be more resistant to warming and bleaching, while those in dirtier water became sick.
Trade in coral and tropical fish is substantial and growing, removing millions of animals a year. The US can leverage its market power to reduce the environmental impact by protecting more species and promoting humane sales.
Researchers have discovered that coral ecosystems facing pressure from human activities and climate change may find survival clues in their fringed areas. These areas are critical for coral evolution, hybridization, and adaptation, highlighting the need to rethink protection strategies.
The European Research Council has awarded a €3 million grant to study corals and global warming. The five-year CoralWarm project aims to create a mathematical model predicting coral reef changes due to temperature and acidity increases.
Researchers studying two isolated Pacific atolls find diverse marine life populations in response to different fishing pressures. At Palmyra, a protected US wildlife refuge, high densities of sharks and large fish are found, while Tabuaeran, inhabited by 2,500 people, hosts lower fish populations due to artisanal fishing.
A new study published in Restoration Ecology reveals that coral transplantation is an effective and affordable solution for reef restoration. The research team transplanted elkhorn coral fragments onto a damaged reef in the British Virgin Islands, achieving significant growth and survival rates over four years.
A new study in the FASEB Journal reveals that different coral species invest varying amounts of resources in immunity and defense, which may explain differences in susceptibility to negative environmental impacts. The research highlights the importance of maintaining favorable environmental conditions on reefs to maximize coral immune ...
Researchers find threespot damselfish kill slow-growing head corals due to habitat needs. Restoring staghorn coral populations can alleviate pressure on other corals and help mitigate the damage.
Threespot damselfish are killing head corals and adding stress to Caribbean coral reefs due to habitat competition. Restoring staghorn coral, their preferred home, can alleviate pressure on other corals. The fish were not overfished, but rather limited by available real estate.
Researchers discovered that coral larvae can detect sound waves to locate suitable habitats, which is essential for their survival. The study highlights the importance of understanding how corals respond to their environment, particularly in light of human noise pollution.
Researchers found that common seaweed species in Pacific and Caribbean Oceans can kill corals using chemical means. The study suggests that the proliferation of seaweeds may prevent natural recovery from happening at all, especially for reefs damaged by human use or overfishing.
Scientists from Oregon State University are trying to address a looming crisis caused by the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean Sea. The invasive species is eating its way through entire ecosystems, reducing small fish populations by up to 79 percent and disrupting delicate ecological balances.
A study on fossil corals found that reef ecosystems persisted through massive environmental changes, including sharply falling sea levels. The research suggests that coral reefs can survive adverse conditions given suitable shallow rocky habitat, and complex ecosystems were maintained during less optimal periods.
The study reveals rapid increases in fish populations inside no-take reserves, improving ecosystem health and resilience. Additionally, the reserve network helps threatened species like dugongs and marine turtles.
Coral reefs face a dire outlook due to rising ocean temperatures, with mass bleaching events predicted under different climate scenarios. Despite this, some habitats like shaded areas may support reef survival, and researchers are studying unique ecosystems in the central equatorial Pacific to better understand reef resilience.
A University of Exeter study shows coral reefs located in marine reserves can recover from the devastating effects of global warming. The research found that reducing fishing levels is a viable way to protect delicate aquatic ecosystems.
A marine sponge species recycles carbon from dissolved organic material, sustaining the diverse ecosystems of coral reefs. This process involves rapid cell turnover and shedding, allowing other reef residents to consume the recycled cells, thereby supporting the reef's complex food web.
A recent study in Hawaii found that tourists and recreation enthusiasts strongly support protecting coral reef ecosystems due to their exceptional beauty. The research suggests that public attitudes toward management are largely driven by the perceived health of coral reefs, with environmental conditions being more important than human...
The partnership will support 36 projects addressing coral reef health, with a focus on climate change, overfishing, and land-based pollution. The initiative aims to improve the resilience of coral reefs for future generations.
Research estimates that coral reefs provide annual services to humans valued at US $172 billion, with a single hectare providing an average of $1.1 million in food and ornamental resources, while also regulating climate and moderating extreme events. Investing in protected areas offers exceptional returns on investment, with a cost-ben...
Researchers propose setting upper limits on CO2 levels, species extinction rates, freshwater use, and other environmental factors to avoid irreversible changes. The proposed thresholds aim to ensure a stable future for humanity, with exceeding these boundaries potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.
The Nature Conservancy will coordinate a project to develop large-scale, in-water coral nurseries and restore reefs along Florida's southern coast and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program aims to grow 12,000 corals to enhance coral populations at 34 degraded reefs.
Recent study reveals coral species tend to stay close to home, with high local genetic diversity important for conservation. Marine reserves should prioritize locally sourced coral recruitment to maintain healthy populations.
A new study found that coral recruitment drops sharply after major bleaching events or hurricanes, with some species not recruiting at all. This disruption threatens the survival of larger, more spectacular reef-building corals as climate change intensifies and storms become more frequent.
A new study proposes banning or restricting fishing gear to aid in the recovery of coral reefs and fish populations. The research found that spear guns, fish traps, beach seine nets, and gill nets can be particularly damaging to corals and fish species, leading to accelerated decline and loss of reef resilience.
A study suggests that banning certain types of fishing gear, such as spear guns and fish traps, could aid in the recovery of reefs and fish populations affected by coral bleaching events. The research proposes that temporary bans or selective gear restrictions offer a middle ground for reef managers and fishers, reducing pressure on th...
Dr. Peter Sale, a renowned Canadian-based UN coral reef specialist, received the Pieter Bleeker Award for his major contributions to world knowledge of fish communities, particularly those in coral reefs. He was recognized for his work on reef fish ecology and behavior, shedding light on sustainable management of marine environments.
Researchers analyzed thousands of surveys to find coral reefs dominated by macroalgae globally are less common than assumed, with only 4% of reefs showing significant coverage. The study suggests no recent trend toward coral-algal phase shifts worldwide.
Scientists have shed light on the collapse of coral reefs, revealing their genetic complexity and intricate symbiotic relationship with algae. The delicate communication process between the coral and algae is also being stressed by global change, leading to coral bleaching and collapse.
Researchers found that some corals can adapt to higher temperatures by hosting heat-resistant symbionts, potentially helping them survive global warming. The discovery suggests that with time, many corals may be able to match hotter environments.
A WWF study predicts catastrophic loss of coral reefs in the Coral Triangle region of the Pacific Ocean by end of century, threatening 100 million people's food supply and livelihoods. The report highlights opportunities for prevention through climate action and regional solutions to overfishing and pollution.
A team of scientists has proposed six 'rules of thumb' to help save the world's imperiled coral reefs. The key to saving threatened coral ecosystems is maintaining links between reefs, allowing larvae to flow between them and re-stock depleted areas.
A new study describes a method for reattaching large sponges to coral reefs, with 62.5% of sponges surviving at least 2.3-3 years. The technique uses sponge holders and can be applied to other large sponge species removed by human activities or storm events.
Coral reefs in Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have recovered rapidly from a devastating bleaching event in 2006, thanks to an exceptional combination of ecological mechanisms. Asexual reproduction played a vital role in the recovery process.
A recent study by researchers from UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis has shed light on how to effectively manage the world's endangered coral reef ecosystems. The study reveals that the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, a vast area stretching over 1,200 miles, are highly vulnerable to human-induced t...
The final expedition of a four-year collaborative research program will assess the health of coral reefs without being confounded by stressors near populated shorelines. The research will provide baseline data on habitat types, keystone species, and factors promoting coral reef health during global climate change.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide could lead to coral reef dissolution as acidification and rising temperatures threaten global coral health. Research models predict that if CO2 levels double, most coral reefs will experience significant calcification rate reductions.
A Scripps Institution of Oceanography study has provided evidence of a drastic decline in Florida's reef fish, with 'trophy fish' shrinking by nearly two-thirds over the last five decades. The study used archival photographs to analyze the weight and length of large predatory fish caught around coral reefs.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that middle-class communities in Eastern Africa have lower fish levels due to increased motorized fishing vessels and decreased cultural restrictions. In contrast, wealthy communities have healthier fish populations due to diversified economies and technological advancements.
Scientists used a DNA array to catalog microbes in coral reefs, finding diverse microbial populations accompanying disease. The PhyloChip offers a powerful way to track change and shed light on pathogens plaguing coral reefs.
Scientists assess a quarter-century of climate change effects on coral health and find both good and bad news. Reefs in the Indian Ocean are recovering relatively well from bleaching events, while western Atlantic reefs have generally failed to recover due to chronic stressors like diseases and overfishing.
Researchers have found that sponge cells in coral caves rapidly recycle dissolved organic material, providing essential nutrients for the reef's inhabitants. This process allows the reef to maintain itself despite limited space and nutrient availability.
The report finds that climate change is the primary threat to coral reefs worldwide, with bleaching and acidification expected to cause significant declines. However, some reefs have shown recovery, particularly those in protected areas or with minimal human impact.
The study, which analyzed socio-economic data from 14,000 households in 27 tropical countries, found that healthy coral reefs are crucial for communities' livelihoods and food security. Despite decades-old recommendations, effective implementation of these recommendations is still a challenge in many parts of the world.
Researchers discovered two new extinct species of coral, Isopora ginsburgi and Isopora curacaoensis, found on the Island of Curaçao six million years ago. The findings provide insight into coral evolution and biogeographic separation between Caribbean and Indo-Pacific regions.
A new global measure of coral reef health has been developed using light pollution index, revealing the impact of human activity on ocean health. The study found that coral reefs near urban areas, gas flares, and fishing boat activity have higher stress levels.
Researchers have found large coral reefs growing in cold, deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean, up to 1,000 meters below the surface. These cold-water corals thrive in areas with strong tidal currents and nutrient-rich seawater, allowing them to feed on algae and zooplankton.
A new study reveals that acidification of oceans from human CO2 emissions can worsen coral bleaching and death. Key findings indicate that coralline algae may be lost in near future due to increased CO2 levels. On the positive side, some coral species show ability to cope with ocean acidification by enhancing photosynthesis.
A Caribbean experiment shows that maintaining proper balance of plant-eating fishes may be key to restoring coral reefs, which are declining dramatically worldwide. Research found significant recovery in sections of coral reefs on which fish of two complementary species were caged.
Researchers find that when fish can't eat seaweed due to sediment, algae mats form, preventing corals from re-establishing themselves. Climate change and sea level rise further threaten coral reefs' survival.
A team of scientists found that current protection zones are ineffective in preventing coral reef collapse due to climate change. New areas need to be established to focus on escaping or recovering regions, while managing the entire system is crucial for long-term survival.
A team of international scientists warns that current coral reef protection zones are not effective against climate change. They recommend establishing new areas with better protection to prevent coral collapse and conserving marine ecosystems.
A study found that shipwrecks on coral reefs harbor unwanted species like Rhodactis howesii, which can overtake healthy coral and decrease diversity. Removing man-made debris could prevent further losses in species and habitat.
A study published in Science journal reveals the evolution of marine diversity over 50 million years, highlighting the Indo-Australian Archipelago as a tropical center of maximum diversity. The research provides new insights into biodiversity hotspots and their connection to environmental change.
No-take marine reserves can help prevent crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, reducing their impact on coral cover. The frequency of outbreaks is lower in protected zones, suggesting a potential benefit of fishing bans.
A new study found that lionfish can slash the survival of other reef fishes by 80 percent within a short period. The invasive species disrupts the ecological balance of coral reefs, allowing seaweeds to overwhelm them. This is another major threat to coral reefs, following overfishing and pollution.
A third of reef-building corals are threatened with extinction, according to a comprehensive global assessment. Climate change and human activities such as destructive fishing and pollution are leading causes of coral bleaching and disease.
A new NOAA coral bleaching prediction system suggests some bleaching in the Caribbean later this year, but not severe. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are at a higher risk of widespread bleaching in August.
A new NOAA report reveals that nearly half of the US coral reef ecosystems are in poor or fair condition due to human-derived threats such as coastal development and recreational use. Climate-related effects like coral bleaching, disease, and ocean acidification also pose significant risks to these ecosystems.
A new study reveals that no-take marine reserves can lead to rapid comebacks of exploited fish species, with coral trout populations increasing by up to 68% in just two years. The findings provide an encouraging message for biodiversity protection and have positive implications for tourism.