A report by the Australian Institute of Marine Science shows a significant resettlement of Australian coral reefs. This is a very interesting phenomenon given the focus on biodiversity in the marine ecosystem in recent years.
While this is good news, recent data on… Climate warming However, it still raises concerns.
Coral reef ecosystem
All coral reefs are composed of biogenic rocks. across the Solidarity Along with coralline algae and other aquatic animals, coral reefs are very important for creating an exceptional ecosystem, namely coral reefs.
We refer to A Water universe It is very fertile and represents 25% of currently existing marine species.
This is a biodiversity heritage that is also exploited by humans as fishing is seen as one power source As well as excellent economic activity.
Technical science of coral reef resettlement
Within the annual report prepared by the Australian Institute of Marine Science between 2021 and 2022, it highlighted that most coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef are witnessing a decline. Resilience Very surprising as well Recovery speed It is also high after periods of stress.
The report indicates that there is an increase in coverage ranging from 33% to 36%.
This is what happened in the northern part, while in the southern part there is still a decrease in the presence of coral reefs by 4 percentage points.
A loss that, according to what observers say, is caused by it Heat stress From the oceans as well as many Parasitic epidemics.
Scientists also explained that the bright colors of coral reefs are due to the presence of marine algae that live in symbiosis with coral reefs.
In fact, algae is through Photosynthesis They feed coral polyps that supply the algae with phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
The change in temperature causes the coral to shed the algae, thus eliminating the algae Source of nutrition. After bleaching caused by algal deficiency, coral polyps become unable to survive.
Some experiments to resettle coral reefs
The Marine Ecology Research Center at Southern Cross University in Queensland began the research technique in 2016. In vitro fertilization of corals.
Scientists then go and collect the sperm with the coral eggs during the reproductive period They are grown in special floating tanks.
When the larvae mature, they are released where the coral environment needs to be repopulated.
However, in the Caribbean, it is practiced Coral gardening Through technology Retail Each coral of the same genotype is cut in half and grown in underwater nurseries.
And so you go to Repeat number than the original numbers, ensuring that thousands of new coral polyps can grow.
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