Scientists have found a way to save coral reefs (11 photos)

Coral reefs are one of the world's most diverse habitats. 25% of all marine species live on and around coral reefs. Despite their importance, corals around the world are being destroyed. Warming waters, pollution, ocean acidification, overfishing and physical destruction all play a role. Fortunately, new research shows that artificially restored coral reefs can grow surprisingly quickly.





The Mars Coral Reef Restoration Program in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, recently unveiled its ambitious project, Reef Stars. This is a program to restore reefs that are being destroyed or are under threat. The principle is this: experts fasten steel structures in the form of a semicircular cage and install them on damaged corals. This way the coral is reliably protected from external influences and is restored over time.



Scientists were surprised at how quickly they were able to restore damaged corals. It turned out that in just four years they begin to grow as quickly as healthy ones.

"Growing a coral reef is important for maintaining sea level rise, protecting coastlines from storms and erosion, and providing habitat for reef animals. As is often the case, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but we hope this positive example will be an inspiration to others reef restoration projects around the world," says Ines Lange from the University of Exeter (UK).





So far, the team has only tried to restore one species of coral, Acropora florida, because it is more sensitive to bleaching from warming waters. However, scientists hope that over time they will be able to restore other types of corals.



The problem of coral bleaching was noticed in the 1980s, but it became really serious in 2016, when a third of the corals on the Great Barrier Reef disappeared. Although bleached corals are still alive, they become extremely vulnerable. Scientists from around the world are trying different ways to save degrading corals, and are also calling on world leaders to take more global action. One other option for protecting reefs is to create marine protected areas where fishing, mining and recreation are prohibited. In protected areas, reefs will be healthier and more resilient.









The inscription "Hope"