<
https://theconversation.com/seychelles-floating-baby-corals-can-help-save-damaged-reefs-new-study-230133>
"The Seychelles archipelago of 115 islands stretches across a vast area of the
western Indian Ocean. Each island is fringed by coral reefs.
Coral reefs are formed by colonies of invertebrate animals that build hard
skeletons and grow in a myriad of forms. These complex tropical reefs support a
third of all species in the ocean as well as the livelihoods of millions of
people. Dependency on coral reefs for food security and economic stability is
particularly acute in small island developing states such as Seychelles, where
a high proportion of people live close to reef systems and there isn’t much
land for alternative ways of life.
Corals reefs are also the ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change, due to
the sensitivity of tropical corals to ocean warming. Marine heatwaves that
cause widespread coral mortality are becoming more frequent and more severe,
leaving insufficient time for coral recovery to take place.
The only solution to this threat is rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
but effective marine management may buy coral reefs some time.
One of the ways a damaged reef can recover is if there is a consistent supply
of baby corals. Although adult corals are attached to the seabed and cannot
move, baby corals float freely in the ocean. Baby corals can therefore be
transported over large distances by ocean currents. Some coral reefs are more
isolated, but others may be strongly connected, acting as a source of baby
corals for many other reefs. Prioritising these source reefs for conservation
may improve the resilience of corals in the wider region.
In our recent study, we mapped coral reef connectivity across the Seychelles
using a combination of population genetics and computer modelling. Despite the
remoteness of many islands, both genetic and modelling approaches suggested
that the connectivity between these remote reefs was high, with ocean currents
shuttling larvae across the archipelago. We also developed an interactive web
app to help marine managers understand these connections.
Our findings suggest that localised conservation efforts have the potential to
benefit coral reef health more broadly. This would be the case both within
Seychelles and along the east African coast."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
