Articles tagged with Coral Reefs
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Researchers at University of Hawaii at Manoa have discovered 10 new marine sponge species in Kāneʻohe Bay, expanding our understanding of sponge biodiversity in the Hawaiian archipelago. The discovery sheds light on the crucial role sponges play in regulating and sustaining coral reef ecosystems.
A global real-time monitoring system is being developed to track bleaching severity, crown-of-thorns starfish populations, disease outbreaks, and reef fish abundance. The integrated system aims to provide predictive models for conservation efforts, enabling earlier intervention.
A 3,000-year pause in coral reef growth was observed in the Gulf of Eilat, coinciding with similar events in Mexico, Brazil, and Australia. The reef eventually recovered by recolonizing from deeper waters, demonstrating its natural resilience.
A novel underwater light system, UZELA, enhances local zooplankton density and increases feeding rates of coral, making them stronger and more resilient against environmental threats. The device can be powered for half a year on a single battery and can optimize a coral's feeding time by operating for one hour after dusk.
A new study reveals that marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef supply nearly half of the region's coral trout catch, contributing significantly to sustainable fishery yields. The protected areas also ensure a higher reproductive output and more resilient coral reef ecosystems.
A recent study has developed refined techniques for in vitro fertilization (IVF) of four key Caribbean coral species, enhancing larval production and bolstering declining populations. The findings provide actionable guidelines for coral IVF practitioners, enabling higher yields while minimizing waste and damage.
A deadly ciliate parasite has decimated sea urchin populations in the Caribbean, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean, with mortality rates reaching over 90%. The International team of researchers is working to track the disease and preserve sea urchins, which play a crucial role in maintaining coral reef health.
A recent study revealed that 66% of coral colonies on the southern Great Barrier Reef were bleached by February 2024, with 80% by April. The research team tracked the health of 462 coral colonies over 161 days and found that 44% of the bleached colonies had died, including a staggering 95% mortality rate for some species.
New research reveals significant transformations in Great Barrier Reef fish communities, with changes in species richness and composition driven by coral diversity rather than coral cover. The study's findings raise questions about the shifting latitudinal diversity gradient and its implications for ecosystem functioning.
Elkhorn coral restoration efforts should prioritize shallower depths with faster currents to promote a healthier microbial community. Fine-scale environmental differences between reef habitats are associated with higher elkhorn survivorship, while certain bacteria and elevated nutrients negatively affect survival.
A new study published in Marine Resource Economics found that a decline in healthy coral reefs can lead to substantial losses in fisheries. The research analyzed nine fisheries dependent on Australia's Great Barrier Reef and predicted lower fishing yields if the restoration of coral reefs is not prioritized.
Research using novel underwater infrared cameras reveals that artificial light wakes sleeping fish and attracts predators to coral reefs at night, changing community composition. This alteration is concerning as it may be essential for regenerating energy and maintaining fitness in marine life.
A new study reveals that corals must be within 10 meters of each other for fertilization to take place, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to maintain coral populations. The research found that as distance increases, reproduction success declines significantly.
Researchers discovered a species of damselfish actively eating gnathiid isopods, which are common reef parasites, to protect their young. This unique 'great fish parenting' behavior increased the survival rate of juvenile fish by three times.
Recent research published in Nature Climate Change highlights the importance of coral reef restoration in responding to smaller-scale disturbances. Leading experts emphasize the need for tailored approaches, incorporating resilience-oriented frameworks to ensure long-term success.
A recent study suggests coral heat tolerance adaptation may not keep pace with ocean warming, and some sensitive species may face extinction. The research modelled different climate scenarios, revealing that natural selection may be insufficient to ensure coral survival under expected warming levels.
A new study suggests that coral heat tolerance adaptation via natural selection may be insufficient to overcome the impacts of ocean warming, unless Paris Agreement commitments are realized.
A pioneering study reveals that transplanting vibrant invertebrate and microbial communities from healthy reefs to damaged ones significantly boosts coral health. The innovative approach, known as 'a coral reef ecosystem transplant,' demonstrates notable improvements in coral photosynthetic efficiency and physiological function.
The University of Miami, partnering institutions, receive a $16 million NOAA grant to enhance the resilience of Florida's restored coral reefs. The team aims to implement novel interventions and leverage innovative technology to increase heat tolerance in corals and scale up new approaches.
Researchers confirm oil presence in Mauritius mangrove forest close to Ramsar conservation sites, three years after MV Wakashio spill. The oil has undergone weathering and biodegradation, but its ongoing presence poses an unknown risk to the sensitive ecosystem.
Researchers found that a chlorine-cocoa butter mixture can effectively treat diseased corals, reducing tissue loss and environmental harm. The alternative approach offers a cheaper, biodegradable solution to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers found that coral reef communities persisted under certain conditions, contradicting most projections of their demise. The study's results suggest that effective climate change mitigation measures can help coral reefs adapt and thrive.
Researchers have discovered two previously unknown bacterial species in deep-sea corals from the Gulf of Mexico. These bacteria have extremely reduced genomes and lack the ability to break down carbohydrates, surviving on amino acids instead. The discovery provides insights into the unique adaptations of deep-sea organisms.
A new study by University of Texas at Arlington researchers found that living with symbiotic algae weakens the immune system of jellyfish, making them more vulnerable to infections. This finding has important implications for coral reef conservation and human disease prevention.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that golfball coral larvae can be encouraged to settle when they hear the sounds of a vibrant, healthy reef. Acoustic enrichment technique showed promise in revitalize degraded sites and help repopulate marine ecosystems.
Research finds ocean connectivity impacts herbivorous reef fish groups, critical to coral reef resilience, and sea surface temperature and chlorophyll levels predict fish distribution. Protecting reefs is essential for rapidly growing communities dependent on reefs, vulnerable to climate change.
Researchers at Newcastle University successfully bred adult corals to enhance their heat tolerance in a controlled study. The study showed modest improvements in coral offspring's ability to survive intense marine heatwaves, but emphasized the need for rapid reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate warming.
Researchers observed severe cold-water bleaching on deep coral reefs in the Clipperton Atoll, linked to easterly wind strength variability. This phenomenon threatens mesophotic coral ecosystems with dual challenges: warm-water bleaching from above and cold-water stress from below.
A study proposes declaring coral protection a human right to save coral reefs from extinction. The measure would speed up coral protection and have dramatic consequences for millions of marine species and humans.
A recent study from the University of Sydney found that international conservation efforts account for approximately 10 percent of fish biomass on coral reefs. Increasing Marine Protected Areas and implementing fisheries restrictions are key to sustaining fish populations, but more work is needed to meet the 30x30 initiative.
A human rights-based approach to coral reef protection could ensure governments are held accountable for safeguarding marine ecosystems. An estimated one billion people rely on healthy coral reefs globally for food security and income, highlighting the catastrophic impact of their loss on human health and economic wellbeing.
Scientists discovered ancient stromatoporoids survived the Late Devonian extinction and continued to thrive as major reef-builders during the Carboniferous Period. The findings shed light on the resilience and adaptability of marine ecosystems.
A new study suggests that altering coral feeding habits could aid their recovery from bleaching events caused by rising ocean temperatures and acidification. Feeding corals zooplankton after a bleaching event improved their resilience to warming temperatures, promoting growth and enhancing recovery rates.
Researchers at UH Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology identified scenarios under which eight coral species can adapt to ocean warming and acidification. The corals can survive a 'low climate change scenario' but not a 'business-as-usual' scenario, highlighting the importance of curtailing carbon emissions for their survival.
A recent FAU study reveals that mesophotic corals can replenish declining shallow reef populations with strong genetic connectivity between shallow and deep zones. The research suggests that deeper corals could be a key source of genetic diversity for shallow reefs, providing valuable opportunities for recovery and restoration efforts.
New research from Southern Cross University reveals previously undocumented variation in coral heat tolerance on the Great Barrier Reef. The study found that corals across the entire reef may hold genetic resources important for protection and restoration.
Researchers have discovered microplastics in all three parts of coral anatomy, including surface mucus, tissue, and skeleton. This finding may explain the 'missing plastic problem' and suggests that corals could be sequestering plastic waste from the ocean.
A coral colony from Fiji has provided a new record of sea surface temperatures in the southwestern Pacific, revealing that 2022 was the warmest year in over 600 years. The reconstruction uses data from the giant coral Diploastrea heliopora, which records long-term climatic and environmental changes.
A recent study published in PLOSONE reveals that young, bred corals from the Coral Seeding approach are more resistant to bleaching under extreme heat stress. This finding provides evidence that assisted coral recruits can play a crucial role in securing the future of coral reefs.
Grey reef sharks are deserting coral reefs in response to environmental stress caused by warming oceans. The study found that sharks are choosing to move into offshore waters, exacerbating declines in shark populations already threatened by exploitation.
Research reveals that crown-of-thorns starfish thrive in degraded coral habitats, benefiting from the loss of live coral. This 'degraded reef hypothesis' explains how juvenile COTS accumulate in rubble habitats, promoting a pulsed emergence as adults and exacerbating the cycle of coral loss.
Researchers observed parrotfish behaving more tolerant of neighboring fish but aggressively toward strangers. The 'dear enemy' effect, where territory holders show less aggression towards neighbors than strangers, was also noted. Parrotfish play a critical role in maintaining healthy coral reefs and contributing to white sand beaches.
Research reveals that informing tourists about climate change does not harm their experience and can encourage sustainable actions. Eighty percent of participants wanted more information on climate change to help, highlighting an opportunity for tourism operators to enhance visitor experiences while advancing climate action.
Long-term coral reef monitoring is essential for tracking changes in reef health, composition, and resilience. Ongoing monitoring provides valuable insights into the impact of acute versus chronic disturbances on reefs.
A new 400-year temperature record reveals extreme recent ocean heat that has led to mass coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef. The research highlights the devastating impact of human-caused climate change on the reef's unparalleled ecology and biodiversity.
Using 3D models, researchers tracked the response of 1,832 coral colonies to two moderate-strength bleaching events off Maui. They found that some corals showed signs of acclimatization, surviving both bleaching events and potentially informing approaches to coral reef conservation.
Researchers discovered that crown-of-thorns starfish larvae feed on Trichodesmium bacteria, a toxic and nutrient-poor food source. This finding may contribute to the increase in COTS populations devastating coral reefs worldwide.
Researchers discovered adaptations in metabolism and swimming abilities that enable fish to survive extreme temperatures in the Arabian Gulf. The study challenges prevailing views on the 'shrinking of fishes phenomenon' and proposes a new theory on energy balance and survival.
Researchers suggest helping coral symbionts evolve heat tolerance in the lab to protect corals from summer heatwaves. This approach may be used in conjunction with other measures like assisted gene flow and reef management to maximize the likelihood of coral reefs persisting into the future.
Researchers found that removing invasive rats and restoring native vegetation could help bring back hundreds of thousands of breeding pairs of seabirds lost to tropical islands. The restored populations would have enough fish in the sea for them to hunt, supporting nearly 280,000 breeding pairs on islands with full vegetation restoration.
Researchers identified 23 previously undetected metabolites in coral reefs, including amino acids and organosulfonic acids. The study's technique can help monitor coral reef health for climate change and other disturbances.
Researchers evaluate the social narratives, technology, and co-impacts of coral reef preservation, seagrass restoration, and seaweed cultivation in the fight against climate change. These blue carbon solutions have the potential to reduce emissions and advance conservation policy.
Deep learning models improve coral reef imaging analyses, paving the way for more effective conservation strategies. The study reveals that sophisticated machine learning strategies can surmount underwater imaging challenges, empowering specialists to produce high-resolution coral reef maps with greater accuracy and efficiency.
A deadly epidemic discovered last year in the Red Sea has spread to the Indian Ocean, annihilating most sea urchin populations and threatening coral reef stability. The researchers identified a scuticociliate parasite as the cause of the mass mortality.
Researchers have identified over 2000 protein-coding genes that change significantly between summer and winter in the starfish's reproductive process. This study provides a promising breakthrough in understanding how crown-of-thorns starfish communicate during reproduction, which could lead to the development of natural pest control me...
The study reveals that coral reefs are suffering from widespread bleaching and deaths, with the highest temperatures recorded in 175 countries. The researchers found that heat transport from the tropics to the polar regions has accelerated, causing sea surface temperature increases and exacerbating global warming feedbacks.
The study found that elevated nutrient levels impacted reef growth, leading to the establishment of slower-growing and more sediment-tolerant coral communities in deeper water. This provides evidence on early Holocene water quality and demonstrates the capacity of the reef to grow under conditions typically considered unsuitable.
Researchers found proactive, targeted, sustained management of Crown-of-Thorns starfish can safeguard reefs. This approach may be crucial in protecting the Great Barrier Reef from the impacts of climate change.
A new study reveals that ocean acidification changes the mix of microbes in coral reef systems, which can be used as an early indicator of ecosystem stress. The research suggests a novel measurement approach by analyzing microbial communities alongside larger organisms.
A new study reveals that corallicolids, thought to be only associated with tropical coral reefs, have been found in a variety of creatures in cold marine ecosystems along the Northeast Pacific. The discovery greatly expands our understanding of microbial biodiversity and highlights significant blind spots in current sampling approaches.