Exploring the global decline of coral reefs and efforts to save these critical ecosystems. https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/coral-reefs/rss en Biodiversity Coral Reefs Fri, 31 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/31/in-photos-exploring-the-deep-sea-secrets-of-the-american-deep-south https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/31/in-photos-exploring-the-deep-sea-secrets-of-the-american-deep-south In June, an expedition set off to explore a poorly understood region of the deep sea near the coasts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. NOAA expedition coordinator Kasey Cantwell describes the discoveries that surprised scientists. Climate Change Coral Reefs Solutions Technology Thu, 23 Aug 2018 05:00:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/08/23/the-platform-aiming-to-open-up-ocean-data-to-all https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/08/23/the-platform-aiming-to-open-up-ocean-data-to-all Carolyn Savoldelli, a research analyst for the World Resources Institute, explains her group’s effort to curate, decipher and connect a growing amount of open ocean data to aid scientists and policymakers. Climate Change Coral Reefs Mon, 20 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/20/hot-with-chance-of-bleaching-sizing-up-an-unprecedented-coral-disaster https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/20/hot-with-chance-of-bleaching-sizing-up-an-unprecedented-coral-disaster NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch is in the midst of a global project to collect data and assess damage from marine heatwaves that devastated coral reefs worldwide. Scientists hope the data will improve future forecasts, helping ecologists take action before temperature spikes. Climate Change Coral Reefs Mon, 13 Aug 2018 08:20:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/13/another-threat-to-coral-reefs-shifting-baselines-of-whats-normal https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/13/another-threat-to-coral-reefs-shifting-baselines-of-whats-normal A 19-year-long study on the impact of bleaching and cyclones on a section of the Great Barrier Reef underscores the challenges of determining what a healthy coral ecosystem looks like in an era of rapidly accelerating climate change. Biodiversity Climate Change Coral Reefs Wed, 08 Aug 2018 12:10:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/08/cant-stand-the-heat-wave-coral-protecting-fish-in-decline https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/08/cant-stand-the-heat-wave-coral-protecting-fish-in-decline An extensive survey of the Great Barrier Reef finds that a spike in ocean temperatures in 2016 led to a fall in populations of parrotfish, which keep corals healthy and help them recover from bleaching events by eating harmful algae. Climate Change Coral Reefs Marine Protected Areas Mon, 30 Jul 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/30/a-tiny-snails-overlooked-role-in-a-downward-death-spiral-for-corals https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/30/a-tiny-snails-overlooked-role-in-a-downward-death-spiral-for-corals New research shows that snails that prey on coral play a bigger role than realized in coral health. But the good news is that reducing fishing can help keep snail populations in check. Climate Change Coral Reefs Thu, 26 Jul 2018 10:00:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/26/inside-the-mission-to-find-50-reefs-that-could-survive-climate-change https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/26/inside-the-mission-to-find-50-reefs-that-could-survive-climate-change Last year, a bold initiative set out to locate coral reefs most likely to survive global warming. That turned out to be far easier said than done – but now scientists hope the results will rally attention to regions where there’s hope to save crucial marine ecosystems. Coral Reefs Fisheries Marine Protected Areas Wed, 11 Jul 2018 08:51:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/11/study-do-coral-reef-reserves-protect-ocean-life-yes-but https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/11/study-do-coral-reef-reserves-protect-ocean-life-yes-but With data from 1,800 tropical coral reefs, new research weighs in on an ongoing conservation debate: whether it’s better to preserve marine areas that are still pristine or those that need the most protection. Biodiversity Climate Change Coral Reefs Mon, 09 Jul 2018 10:34:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/09/island-of-coral-resilience-shows-hope-and-limits-for-reefs-future https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/09/island-of-coral-resilience-shows-hope-and-limits-for-reefs-future Bermuda is home to one of the highest-latitude coral reefs in the world, and scientists there are working to decode the keys to its health as climate change devastates reefs elsewhere. Climate Change Coral Reefs Thu, 05 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/05/no-cover-corals-on-great-barrier-reef-hit-record-low https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/05/no-cover-corals-on-great-barrier-reef-hit-record-low In the wake of catastrophic bleaching events, scientists find that coral cover on the world’s biggest reef system is near record lows, while other research shows recovery will be “slow and painful” as only a tiny number of coral larvae are repopulating devastated reefs. Climate Change Coral Reefs Fri, 22 Jun 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Spine Films https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/22/watch-new-technology-reveals-the-secret-life-of-corals https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/22/watch-new-technology-reveals-the-secret-life-of-corals Advanced cameras, including a 3D stereoscopic microscope, allow researchers to study how corals reproduce, grow and bleach at a micro-scale. That could aid efforts to save them. Climate Change Coral Reefs Fisheries Mon, 18 Jun 2018 09:30:00 +0000 Karthikeyan Hemalatha https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/18/beyond-the-great-barrier-reef-bleaching-undoes-india-coral-restoration https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/18/beyond-the-great-barrier-reef-bleaching-undoes-india-coral-restoration In India’s Gulf of Mannar, more than a decade of efforts have spurred a slow recovery of coral reefs that protect the coast and feed communities. But climate change has reversed that success. Climate Change Coral Reefs Thu, 14 Jun 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/14/rising-seas-will-inundate-coral-reefs-that-protect-vulnerable-coasts https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/14/rising-seas-will-inundate-coral-reefs-that-protect-vulnerable-coasts Researchers studied more than 200 tropical reefs and found that few will grow fast enough to keep pace with higher water levels due to climate change. This means the reefs won’t be able to break destructive waves that can wreak havoc on coastal communities. Blue Economy Coral Reefs Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:00:00 +0000 Matthew O. Berger https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/12/why-one-meter-of-coral-reef-is-worth-billions-of-dollars https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/06/12/why-one-meter-of-coral-reef-is-worth-billions-of-dollars Researchers have found that the top layer of coral reefs prevents $4 billion in flood damage annually by breaking up waves that propel destructive storm surges. As storms increase in frequency and force, reefs play a crucial role in protecting coastal property. Biodiversity Coral Reefs Marine Protected Areas Fri, 01 Jun 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Jessica Leber https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/06/01/exploring-a-new-zone-of-deep-sea-coral-life-hidden-in-plain-sight https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/06/01/exploring-a-new-zone-of-deep-sea-coral-life-hidden-in-plain-sight A 2016 expedition near Bermuda found new species and biological communities thriving on the seabed relatively near shore. Alex Rogers, science director of the Nekton Oxford Deep Ocean Exploration Institute, says the discovery shows how little we know about marine life. Coral Reefs Fisheries Solutions Thu, 31 May 2018 08:10:00 +0000 Anthony Langat https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/31/meet-the-small-fishing-community-regrowing-coral-reefs-in-kenya https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/31/meet-the-small-fishing-community-regrowing-coral-reefs-in-kenya As fishers on Wasini Island began seeing the effects of coral ecosystem degradation, including declining catches, they revived an age-old tradition of conservation to replant and protect their reef. Coral Reefs Solutions Technology Thu, 24 May 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Paul Tullis https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/24/the-high-tech-mission-to-map-the-health-of-the-caribbeans-coral-reefs https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/24/the-high-tech-mission-to-map-the-health-of-the-caribbeans-coral-reefs The Carnegie Airborne Observatory spent 16 days flying over a region devastated by hurricanes, using advanced tools to discover the extent of coral reef cover and assess its condition. The data will help with coral restoration efforts. Climate Change Coral Reefs Marine Protected Areas Wed, 16 May 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Amelia Urry https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/16/scientists-race-to-decode-disease-devastating-florida-coral-reefs https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/16/scientists-race-to-decode-disease-devastating-florida-coral-reefs As a mysterious but persistent pathogen threatens the last remaining healthy coral ecosystem in the continental United States, researchers are struggling to understand how the disease spreads and to devise ways to stop it. Coral Reefs Governance Mon, 14 May 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Erica Cirino https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/14/coal-vs-coral-the-dredging-threat-to-the-great-barrier-reef https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/14/coal-vs-coral-the-dredging-threat-to-the-great-barrier-reef As the Australian government pushes for the construction of a giant coal mine near the world’s largest coral ecosystem, Finnish scientists have developed a way to minimize the impact of dredging required to expand coal ports and accommodate increases in ship traffic. Biodiversity Coral Reefs Fisheries Governance Fri, 11 May 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Ian Evans https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/05/11/expedition-reveals-the-mysteries-at-the-bottom-of-the-gulf-of-mexico https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/05/11/expedition-reveals-the-mysteries-at-the-bottom-of-the-gulf-of-mexico The Okeanos Expedition has returned from a 23-day exploration of the deep ocean in the Gulf of Mexico. Scientist Daniel Wagner says that much of what they saw was new to science and could affect management of the Gulf. Biodiversity Coral Reefs Tue, 08 May 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Amelia Urry https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/08/new-discoveries-about-unique-amazon-coral-reef-at-risk-from-oil-drilling https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/08/new-discoveries-about-unique-amazon-coral-reef-at-risk-from-oil-drilling A Greenpeace-backed expedition has brought back images of a huge and biologically important reef system at the mouth of Brazil’s Amazon river that is threatened by offshore development. Biodiversity Coral Reefs Fisheries Solutions Technology Wed, 02 May 2018 08:30:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/02/new-weapons-in-the-war-on-lionfish-a-beautiful-but-deadly-invader https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/02/new-weapons-in-the-war-on-lionfish-a-beautiful-but-deadly-invader Lionfish are decimating valuable native species in the western Atlantic Ocean, but spearing the predators hasn’t been enough to slow their spread. Now scientists and fishers are developing traps and other technology to catch the voracious fish en masse. Biodiversity Climate Change Coral Reefs Wed, 18 Apr 2018 13:00:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/18/scientists-the-great-barrier-reef-as-we-knew-it-is-gone https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/18/scientists-the-great-barrier-reef-as-we-knew-it-is-gone A new study finds that the extreme coral bleaching event of 2016 devastated the world’s largest coral reef and is dramatically altering coral ecosystems as marine heat waves become more frequent. Coral Reefs Governance Marine Protected Areas Thu, 12 Apr 2018 08:50:00 +0000 Amelia Urry https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/12/can-the-gulf-of-mexicos-largest-coral-reef-survive-a-massive-new-port https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/12/can-the-gulf-of-mexicos-largest-coral-reef-survive-a-massive-new-port Environmentalists in Mexico have fought the recent relocation of a coral reef to make way for bigger ships in the Port of Veracruz. They worry about the ecosystem impacts of the port expansion and the precedent it sets for uprooting corals. Biodiversity Coral Reefs Tue, 10 Apr 2018 08:30:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/10/the-hidden-coral-crisis-loss-of-fish-diversity-after-bleaching-strikes https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/10/the-hidden-coral-crisis-loss-of-fish-diversity-after-bleaching-strikes Scientists in Australia have documented how the composition of coral species affects the survival of fish populations following bleaching events. As small fish key to coral health disappear, reefs’ resilience to future catastrophes could decline. Coral Reefs Governance Marine Protected Areas Solutions Thu, 29 Mar 2018 07:40:00 +0000 ‘Aulani Wilhelm https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/03/29/to-save-the-worlds-coral-reefs-bigger-and-smaller-are-better https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/03/29/to-save-the-worlds-coral-reefs-bigger-and-smaller-are-better Coral reefs are vital marine ecosystems, but time is running out to protect them from climate change. The only way to stave off a coral catastrophe, says ‘Aulani Wilhelm of Conservation International, is to scale up marine protected areas – and fast. Climate Change Coral Reefs Tue, 27 Mar 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Selina Ward https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/03/27/bleaching-in-australias-northern-territory-is-a-scary-sign-for-corals https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/03/27/bleaching-in-australias-northern-territory-is-a-scary-sign-for-corals It’s not the first time bleaching has hit this area, but it is another indication that waters around Australia, and the world, are warming rapidly, says University of Queensland coral researcher Selina Ward. Blue Economy Coral Reefs Solutions Tue, 20 Mar 2018 08:30:00 +0000 Ian Evans https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/03/20/deeply-talks-hedging-climate-change-by-insuring-coral-reefs https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/03/20/deeply-talks-hedging-climate-change-by-insuring-coral-reefs In the latest installment of Deeply Talks, we discuss the world’s first insurance policy for a coral reef with experts at the Nature Conservancy. In Mexico, the policy will pay for coral reef restoration when destructive hurricanes strike. Coral Reefs Solutions Thu, 15 Mar 2018 10:20:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/15/premium-protection-why-insurers-are-eager-to-cover-coral-reefs https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/15/premium-protection-why-insurers-are-eager-to-cover-coral-reefs As hurricanes become more destructive in a warming climate, coral reefs protect coastal property worth billions of dollars. Now Mexico is taking out the world’s first insurance policy on a coral reef to ensure its restoration after storms strike. Climate Change Coral Reefs Solutions Tue, 13 Mar 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Amelia Urry https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/13/can-coral-microbes-protect-reefs-from-climate-change https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/13/can-coral-microbes-protect-reefs-from-climate-change Scientists are investigating the role microbiomes play in coral health, trying to identity those microbial traits that make coral reefs resilient as ocean temperatures rise and bleaching events accelerate.