For years, the outlook for coral reefs has been increasingly bleak. Mass coral bleaching events caused by severe marine heatwaves have fueled repeated warnings that reefs are rapidly on an irreversible path of decline. But new research is challenging that narrative. In a landmark study unveiled Tuesday, scientists have identified more than 64,000 square miles […]

MAJURO, Marshall Islands—Perched on the bow of an aluminum landing craft, Anne Cohen gazed a few yards ahead of the vessel toward a yellow robot gliding across the emerald Majuro lagoon. The unmanned surface vehicle, called Yellowfin, was quickly becoming one of the coral researcher’s most dependable guides in these Central Pacific waters. “She’s the […]

Death casts a shadow over life, not only for people but also other animals, plants and entire ecosystems. In some ways, the phenomenon is well known. A fallen tree sprouts a plethora of mushrooms while also hosting ants, beetles and the creatures that feast on them. But a new paper argues that these forces play […]

This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center. On the island of Moorea, in French Polynesia, deep green volcanic mountains slope from high peaks down towards the sea. But they don’t stop at the shore. The ridgelines of ancient lava flows stretch underwater, providing the perfect rocky substrate for a coral reef. Between the ancient […]

Nearly three dozen young lab-grown elkhorn corals were outplanted onto reefs in Florida’s Dry Tortugas National Park this spring, including a group of “Flondurans,” marking the first time this experimental cross-breed of Florida and Honduran elkhorn corals was introduced to the remote park about 70 miles from Key West. “These babies have been raised on […]

Marine protected areas are designed to conserve coral reefs and other ocean ecosystems by restricting human activity within their boundaries. But most don’t account for one of the most severe and widespread threats to marine life that originates on land: sewage. A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the University of Queensland […]

Scientists are uncovering a hidden layer of coral reef ecosystems, one dominated not by visible marine life, but by vast and largely unexplored microbial communities. An international team of scientists has revealed new details about coral ecosystems, showing that each coral species supports its own unique community of microbes. The study, which included researchers from [...]

Ritidian Point, at the northern tip of Guam, is home to an ancient limestone forest with panoramic vistas of warm Pacific waters. Stand here in early spring and you might just be lucky enough to witness a breaching humpback whale as they migrate past. But listen and you’ll be struck by the cacophony of the […]

Isotope evidence from fossil otoliths shows Caribbean reef food chains have shrunk by up to 70%, signaling a major loss of trophic complexity. Coral reefs across the Caribbean are facing severe decline. Researchers have recorded widespread bleaching, steep losses in coral cover, and significant reductions in fish and shark populations over the past several decades. [...]

Half the world’s coral reefs were hit hard by extreme ocean heat, and an even more severe bleaching crisis is happening right now. Coral reefs are far more than colorful underwater ecosystems. They support fisheries, drive tourism, shield coastlines from storms, and even contribute to the discovery of new medicines. Altogether, these benefits are valued [...]

Scientists have revealed how corals anchor themselves to reefs through a multi-step biological process. The findings could help restoration efforts focus on coral species most likely to survive and thrive. Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have identified essential biological mechanisms that enable corals to attach to reef surfaces, a breakthrough that could strengthen [...]

Coral reefs are a key ocean ecosystem, but the consequences of climate change over the last few decades have left many of them completely decimated. Many activists and companies are actively working to reverse damage and rebuild coral reefs. Let’s take a look at some of those efforts! Ecoblox The National Science Foundation introduced the […]

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