In 2024, coral bleaching has been at its peak with many areas reaching staggering levels leaving feelings of trouble in people all across the world. Although massive amounts of negative news surrounding the environment have begun to swirl, it seems that the good news doesn’t receive as much attention. There are many scientists and organizations that have devoted themselves to farming heat-resistant coral and restoring the reefs! In addition to that, the largest coral ever has recently been found.
What is coral?
Coral is made up of individuals called polyps. A polyp has two ends, one end has an opening and serves as the stomach. The opening, or mouth, is bordered with tentacles, which are also used to obtain food and clean away waste. The nutrients and waste products are expelled from the same hole. Corals are known as “the rainforest of the sea”, housing four-thousand species of fish, fungi, seaweed, bacteria, etc.
What is coral bleaching?
Coral has a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, an algae that lives within their tissues. This algae is a primary food source for the coral and gives it color. When there is a change in temperature – whether it’s an increase or decrease – it will place stress on the relationship, and lead to the algae leaving the coral. The loss of algae results in many coral succumbing to starvation and disease. It also contributes to the algae looking white and pale instead of colorful.
How Does the Death of Coral Impact the Ecosystem?
Twenty-five percent of marine life depends directly on coral reefs. The reefs supply food, homes for various species, and serve as nurseries for offspring. Not only do these underwater habitats promote prosperity for wildlife, they also protect humans! During large storms, they act like breakwaters (a barrier built to protect a coast/harbor from waves) and are an essential resource to develop new medicines. Humans in coastal and inland communities also depend on healthy reefs as a source of food! In addition, coral reefs support businesses, jobs, tourism and recreational activities.
What are scientists doing to save the reefs?
Scientists from the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology first gathered coral cores and took samples of rice and finger corals due to them being more bleach-resistant. Then, the samples were then taken to a lab setting and placed in nurseries where the coral can reproduce while being exposed to temperatures above the current ocean condition while still being carefully assessed.
The Good News
Recently in mid November, the largest coral ever has been discovered! It can fit two basketball courts side-by-side, and is visible from space. The coral was found around the Solomon Islands which is relatively close to Papua New Guinea, and is described as a “mega coral hiding in plain sight”. Scientists from National Geographic estimated it to be three hundred to five hundred years old, a width of 111 feet, a length of 104 feet and 28 feet high! This coral’s discovery and abundance of life shows that marine-life can endure environmental changes, and it’s a testament to its adaptability! Its existence and biodiversity is a sign that it’s not too late to protect, conserve and restore the oceans and slow climate change.
