Coral

Treatment options for coral reefs stricken with tissue loss diseases often involve antibiotic treatments that can have an adverse impact on the surrounding environment and can lead to increased antibiotic resistance. 

An international team of researchers have developed an alternative treatment in the form of a paste made from chlorine and cocoa butter. Their findings were recently published in the Frontiers in Marine Science journal. 

In particular, these dead skeletons can foster macroalgae growth, which compete with corals for space and resources and ultimately hinder coral regrowth.

Coral reefs are among the planet’s most vital ecosystems, yet they face increasing threats from climate change, including bleaching events and destructive storms. A new study by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) sheds light on the crucial role of connectivity between coral communities in helping reefs recover and adapt to environmental challenges.

In a new study, researchers have discovered that corals need to be within a few metres apart to successfully reproduce. 

“In what came as a surprise, we saw that corals needed to be within 10 metres of one another, and preferably closer than that for fertilisation to take place,” Professor Peter Mumby, from The University of Queensland, said.

This proximity requirement is much closer than previously thought.

The latest reports from organisations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and UN Environment Programme report that about 50% of the world's coral reefs are considered damaged or at risk of collapse, with some estimates suggesting that we could lose up to 90% of coral reefs by 2050 if current trends continue. This is a staggering figure when considering the ecological and economic importance of coral reefs.

(Top photo by Manu San Félix, National Geographic Pristine Seas, via press release)

The monumental coral, of the species Pavona clavus, was discovered by researchers of the National Geographic Pristine Seas project during an expedition to the remote Three Sisters Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Initially mistaken for a shipwreck or large rock due to its size, the structure was confirmed to be a single coral colony, surpassing previous records for individual corals.

As global warming devastates coral reefs, a controversial proposal to replace native coral species with heat-resistant ones from other regions is stirring debate. 

New York University’s Michael Webster and the University of Washington’s Daniel Schindler argue that “ecological replacement” may be essential for preserving reef ecosystems.

While this approach raises concerns, its supporters believe it might be the only realistic solution as ocean temperatures continue to rise.

An ecological disaster

Furthermore, the abundance of healthy coral colonies experienced a sharp decline from 3,452 individuals in 2018 to just 153 in 2022. The abundance of coral genera also took a significant hit, falling by 84.61% from 26 genera in 2018 to just four in 2022. Dominant genera such as Acropora, Montipora and Echinopora were eradicated from the study sites.

In 2015, amidst a marine heatwave, Barott’s team tagged numerous coral colonies, initiating a study on coral adaptability. Their focus: the rice coral (Montipora capitata) and finger coral (Porites compressa), two dominant species in the region. Over the years, multiple heatwaves provided a unique opportunity to observe coral responses, revealing both resilience and vulnerability.

Scientists discover a surprising tradeoff in coral growth linked to the symbiotic algae they host. The research sheds light on the delicate balance that corals strike in adapting to rising ocean temperatures.

Corals derive much of their energy from the algae living within their soft tissue, and it appears that some symbiotic algae species help corals withstand warmer water better than others.