Building Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs: A Race Against Time

BIODIVERSITY LOSS January 30, 2024

Coral reefs, vital ecosystems supporting a quarter of marine species and benefiting over a billion people, face existential threats due to climate change. New restoration methods offer hope, but their lasting impact depends on urgent action to combat ocean warming.

Taryn Foster, a coral scientist, has witnessed mass bleaching events devastating coral reefs during her research. Her company, Coral Maker, produces small coral skeletons to which nursery-grown coral is attached. Foster aims to accelerate coral restoration using robots and mass-manufacturing techniques.

Warming oceans pose a significant challenge for coral reefs. Corals require temperatures within the range of 79-84°F (26.1-28.8°C) to thrive. It’s estimated that 99% of coral could succumb to marine heatwaves by the 2030s if global temperatures continue to rise.

Coral restoration methods must coincide with action on global warming. Although coral reefs cover only 0.1% of the seafloor, they support 25% of marine species and benefit millions of people.

Restoring coral reefs requires not only innovative techniques but also urgent action to help combat climate change.

Learn more @ BBC