Coral, a crucial but endangered marine organism, occupies only 1% of ocean habitats yet supports 25% of marine life and protects coastlines. Climate change, pollution, and overfishing have led to a 50% decline in coral reefs since 1970, with projections indicating that 90% of coral may vanish by 2050.
In Dubai, Coral Vita, a conservation team, is working to restore coral through pioneering techniques like microfragmenting, which speeds up coral growth by cutting it into tiny pieces that fuse and mature faster. Coral Vita also conditions corals to withstand climate stress by simulating extreme temperatures. Through nutrition-rich marine salt solutions, Coral Vita helps these corals build resilience, enabling them to be replanted in damaged reefs.
This “super coral” approach could help sustain marine ecosystems.
Vocabulary:
• Reef – A rock or coral formation under the water that provides habitat for many marine animals.
• Bleach – When corals lose color and health because of environmental stress.
• Resilient – The ability to recover from or adapt to difficult conditions.
• Pollution – Harmful substances that contaminate the environment, affecting living organisms.
• Marine – Related to the sea or ocean.
Source: Great Big Story