Celebrating Earth Day: The Vital Role of Coral Reefs

Coral reefs contain some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring species found in nature. We know that they are endangered, but there is some good news. In the last few years several previously undiscovered reefs were found in Tahiti, Mexico and within the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the world’s most extensive coral reef system and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Global efforts are underway and in North America. The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program is working with other organizations to improve the quality of habitats and to enhance the resilience of coral populations. The program was established in 2000 by the Coral Reef Conservation Act to protect, conserve, and restore the nation's coral reefs. As coral reefs decline globally, interest in using coral gardening techniques for reef restoration is increasing. Cutting-edge techniques for propagating and restoring corals, as well as experimental work focused on identifying corals that can survive future ocean conditions are in development. This process is effective in areas where corals grow relatively quickly, such as Florida and the Caribbean.

 In Hawaii, NOAA’s coral restoration team devised an alternate plan which includes saving fully formed colonies that have become detached from the reef due to storms and other disturbances. With the assistance of University of Hawaiʻi mechanical engineering students they developed a new type of coral nursery that can hold very large corals.

In the Northwest Hawaiian Island coral reefs, which are part of the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument, scientists have developed some innovative measures to help reefs adapt to climate change, including bolstering coral microbiomes, developing lab-created coral, and propagating the hardiest varieties of coral.

  www.reefcheck.org

  https://coralreef.noaa.gov/                

  https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/vr/ 

ABERNETHY

LLEWELLYN