Healthy corals have a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae known as zooxanthellae. While zooxanthellae are protected by coral, they provide the coral with products of photosynthesis to help the coral produce calcium carbonate exoskeletons.
Along with these benefits, the zooxanthellae are also the reason corals have their vibrant colouring.
Coral reefs are a habitat important to many animals. Unfortunately, due to climate change, the ocean temperatures and acidity are increasing at a rapid rate. This can result in coral bleaching and major habitat loss. Since the 1950s, 50% of the world's coral reefs have died due to climate change .
When corals become stressed due to changes in conditions, such as temperature, they will expel the zooxanthellae from their tissues and turn completely white.
Although not all bleaching events are fatal to the coral, it can still result in fatalities, causing their major food source to now no longer exist and making them more susceptible to disease.
Whenever we look at coral reefs we have the distinct pleasure of seeing a rainbow underwater! This array of colours comes from pigmented proteins known as chromoproteins. The colour of a coral is also a great way to gauge their overall health. Colours can change based on nutrient access, mineral access, depth of the water, and the amount of light able to penetrate the water.
On top of these chromoproteins, corals have the ability to synthesize even more pigments that contribute to their vibrant colouration. The function of pigments is thought to act as an optimizer or reducer of light exposure to the algae in the coral.
Too much light can damage the algae and coral. Too little light can result in health damage as well. The goal of coral hosts and the pigments they produce is to have optimal oxygen production and nutrient access. If we’ve learned anything about coral is that they are masters of symbiosis.
So, what can we do about it? In the past many believed that propagating coral at a painfully slow rate was the only way to replenish these environments. With a tediously slow growth rate of about 10 centimeters a year for branching corals, coral reefs could take 100,000 years to fully form.
However, corals are dying faster than they can be saved. The state of these beautiful habitats’ future seemed futile, until Dr. David Vaughn, president of Plant a Million Corals, avid diver, and marine conservationist, accidently pioneered the method of micro-fragmentation which resulted in coral growing 40 times faster than it does on its own in the wild at a 60-70% success rate.
Fragments are removed from healthy corals to start the healing process and help stimulate growth. After a few months of rapid growth, these corals can then be planted in coral nurseries or dedicated areas back in the environment.
To combat the negative effects from rising ocean temperatures and acidity, scientists have chosen to rebuild coral reefs with bleaching resilient characteristics and genetics.
But you don’t have to be a scientist to be a part of coral conservation!
Think of all the ways we use energy or produce waste daily, and how we can save and reduce those factors. Protecting coral reefs may initially seem daunting, but focusing on simple daily practices can significantly improve conservation efforts- everything is interconnected!
A key step is reducing waste and energy consumption in our everyday lives. For instance, one effective measure is to minimize single use plastics by opting for reusable alternatives, particularly as we gear up for the approaching summer months.
Additionally, as we engage in aquatic activities, it is crucial to choose eco-friendly sunscreen.
Learn more about the amazing life of corals at the Living Coral exhibit located in The Gallery at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada .
