Articles tagged with Coral Reefs
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Deeper areas of the Great Barrier Reef are insulated from harmful heatwaves due to separation between warm surface water and cooler deeper water. However, this protection will be lost if global warming exceeds 3°C above pre-industrial levels, threatening coral mortality and reef collapse.
A recent study published in Environmental Microbiology uses eDNA to analyze coral reef microbial communities, providing near-real time insights into ecosystem health. The research found that microorganisms can capture and predict stony coral tissue loss disease and hurricane disturbance impacts on US Virgin Island reefs.
Researchers reconstructed a Late Holocene-aged subfossil coral death assemblage and compared it to modern reefs in Southeast Florida. The study reveals significant differences in coral composition between the two periods, suggesting that modern reefs may not be able to support range expansions of temperature-sensitive species.
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that severe hurricanes can increase the recovery of coral reef sponges by boosting the influx of juveniles and promoting gene flow. Genetic analyses revealed that populations of clonal marine species may benefit from increased frequency and magnitude of hurricanes to maintain gen...
Engineers have developed a modular artificial reef structure made of concrete voxels that can dissipate wave energy more effectively than natural coral reefs. The design, optimized through hydrodynamic modeling and experimental testing, has been confirmed by tests at the MIT Towing Tank.
Research reveals changes in Hawaiian coral reef soundscapes tied to lunar cycles, indicating potential impacts on marine life. The study explores moonlight-driven biological choruses and their effects on reef ecosystems.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that virtual reality evokes stronger emotions and motivates climate action more effectively than traditional video. Loss-framed messages were most effective in VR, while gain-framed messages performed better in video format.
Researchers warn of devastating impacts of Olympic tower construction on coral reef habitat and local economy in Teahupo’o, Tahiti. The study found that the site supports a thriving coral community worth at least $170,000, with potential economic losses estimated at $1.3 million if the reef is damaged.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that replaying healthy reef sounds can encourage coral larvae to settle on degraded reefs. The study demonstrated a significant increase in settlement rates when broadcasting healthy reef sounds at distances of up to 30 meters from the speakers.
Researchers at Oxford University have discovered a network of ocean currents that scatter coral larvae between remote islands in the Seychelles. This 'coral superhighway' suggests that centrally located reefs may play a crucial role in linking distant islands, supporting regional reef resilience.
A perfect storm of calm weather and limited tidal movement trapped coral eggs in Bills Bay, leading to a massive die-off. However, research by Curtin University shows that some corals were able to survive and that the area has a history of recovering from similar events.
Researchers found that restored coral reefs can triple their coral cover and carbonate production rates within four years, making them comparable to healthy reefs. However, the community composition on restoration sites differs from healthy reefs due to mixed branching coral types.
Researchers found that restored coral reefs can grow at the same speed as healthy reefs within four years, bringing back important ecosystem functions and habitat for marine life. The study's results show promise for reef restoration projects worldwide, but longer-term studies are needed to understand resilience under stress.
Researchers develop novel system to study coral skeletons, enabling climate-resilient coral polyp development. A gene from the stony coral Stylophora pistillata is used to induce calcium concentration and skeleton formation in a sea anemone.
A new study has identified the role of microbes in regulating coral thermal bleaching susceptibility, revealing that heat-tolerant Symbiodiniaceae dominate microbial communities on Huangyan Island. Increased fungal diversity and pathogen abundance are associated with higher coral thermal bleaching susceptibility.
Researchers provided first detailed estimates of sediment supply to coral reef islands, crucial for understanding climate change impacts. They found that around 0.1m³ (100kg) of sediment is delivered to islands per year, helping islands withstand rising seas.
Sea cucumbers, known as the 'janitors' of the ocean, have been found to be a missing component in maintaining healthy coral reefs. Their removal due to overfishing has led to an increase in coral disease and a decline in biodiversity.
A long-term study in Eilat found that artificial reefs reduce diving pressure on natural reefs, allowing for the preservation of both dive tourism and coral reefs. The reef has attracted many species of fish and invertebrates, making it a successful alternative to natural reefs.
Researchers used underwater drones to collect eDNA from mesophotic corals, identifying genera and habitats. The study suggests faster and easier monitoring of coral reefs using eDNA metabarcoding methods.
Research reveals that bleaching reefs release organic compounds that promote bacterial growth, leading to an increase in opportunistic bacteria and potential pathogens. This shift in microbial communities may harm corals through suffocation or disease.
Researchers have discovered an estimated 348,000 square kilometers of shallow coral reefs worldwide, revising previous estimates. The high-resolution satellite maps also identify areas with hard and soft bottoms, providing valuable data for scientists and policymakers to better understand and manage reef systems.
A new study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School and NOAA finds that South Florida's inshore reefs are less vulnerable to ocean acidification than previously thought. The research highlights the importance of preserving seagrass meadows to mitigate climate-related threats to coral reefs.
A recent study discovered that certain protists within the coral microbiome can inform scientists about a coral's ability to survive heat stress. The researchers found that parasitic single-celled protists are more common in corals that survive heat-stress, while Corallicolids are more common in corals that die from heat-stress.
A team of scientists suggests that coral atoll islands can adapt to sea level rise through local ecological restoration. Restoring the natural process of island growth could significantly improve the health of surrounding coral reef habitats. Funding for restoration work could empower communities to take back ownership of their futures.
A recent study by University of Queensland scientist Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg warns that record-breaking marine heatwaves will cause catastrophic mass coral bleaching worldwide. The research suggests that current marine heatwaves will likely lead to a global mass coral bleaching event over the next 12-24 months.