I helped survey coral reefs in Norfolk Island for the first time in eight years, and snapped marine life we didn't expect to see there.
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Articles on Coral reefs
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Untreated wastewater is responsible for the deaths of 800 children under five every day, and inflicts serious damage to the environment. Knowing where sewage ends up is vital.
But these 'cold-water coral' are threatened by accelerating sea currents.
The Pacific Ocean produces oxygen, helps regulates the weather, provides food and livelihoods. It's a place of fun, solace and spiritual connection. But its delicate ecology is under threat.
Humans have caused ecosystems to collapse on purpose for millennia, to grow food or build settlements. But unplanned collapses are a different matter.
New research involving CRISPR technology has furthered our understanding of corals' gene functions. Specifically, it has revealed a mechanism underpinning how corals withstand heat stress.
Marine wildlife rarely remain in one habitat. Most species rely on a healthy network of ecosystems to raise their young and catch their food.
Sexual reproduction helps keep coral colonies diverse and resilient. Now, scientists are doing it in a lab to restock flagging reefs.
Hundreds of organizations are working around the world to restore damaged coral reefs. New research shows that rapid ocean warming threatens these efforts.
Pesticides and high temperatures can disrupt the development of small coral reef fish by targeting their hormones.
They're more used to taking visitors to the reefs, but COVID-19 gave tour operators time to help check the condition of the corals. What they found doesn't bode well.
Reef fish vanish during marine heat waves, but may bounce back quickly on reefs that have few other environmental stressors.
While most corals turn ghostly white when they bleach, some turn neon purple. Scientists were baffled – until now.
South Africa is home to four other seahorse species, but this was the first time a pygmy seahorse had been observed in South Africa, let alone Africa.
Restoring the reef represents one of the most significant science and technology challenges in the history of nature conservation.
Coral bleaching last summer was severe and widespread. And for the first time, severe bleaching has struck all three regions of the Great Barrier Reef.
From a scientific perspective, the results are fascinating and world-first. From a personal perspective, what I saw will stay with me for a long time.
Without understanding which fish species and habitats local fishers rely on, export bans can do more harm than good.
The hope is that the biodiversity targets translate directly into what individual countries, cities, companies and even families can adopt as tangible actions.
Fish larvae will swim towards the sounds of a desirable reef, but degraded reefs cannot be rebuilt on sound alone.
Top contributors
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Distinguished Professor, James Cook University
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Professor, The University of Queensland
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PSM, Post-career PhD candidate, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
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Jon Brodie is a Friend of The Conversation.
Professorial Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
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Assistant Professor, School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society // CEO MarFishEco Fisheries Consultant Ltd, Heriot-Watt University
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Head of the Coral Reef Laboratory, University of Southampton
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Senior Research Fellow, Coral Reef Laboratory, University of Southampton
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Postdoctoral fellow, Bangor University
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Coral Reef Ecologist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Professor of Marine Biology and Head of School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University
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Associate professor, James Cook University
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Principal Research Scientist and Team Leader, Australian Institute of Marine Science
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Professor of Marine Ecology, Simon Fraser University
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Adjunct Lecturer, James Cook University
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Chair professor, The University of Queensland
