Detecting conditions to help corals escape extinction

Recent research by scientists at the University of Exeter shows that corals can recover themselves. This is good news for environmentalists at risk of permanently disappearing coral reefs in the next few centuries.

The Exeter University study, published in the journal PLOS One, provides the first evidence of coral reef self-healing after being strongly influenced by climate change.

Previously, scientists and environmentalists warned that coral reefs may not be able to recover from the destruction caused by climate change, and therefore, this animal will be forever disappear.

Researchers continue to argue that reducing fishing levels is a viable way to protect the most beautiful ecosystem under the sea. Increasing the surface water temperature of the oceans makes the coral reefs "bleached" quickly.

Besides, there is an increase in ocean acidification level, caused by increased CO ₂ phenomenon. This reduces the ability to produce CaCO ₃ , the material that makes corals.

According to environmentalists, only about 2% of the world's coral reefs are protected by marine activities such as fishing and net fishing.

Researchers conducted surveys on 10 inside and outside protected areas in the Bahamas for more than two and a half years. The reefs here have been damaged several times by the bleaching and typhoons in France in the summer of 2004.

At the beginning of the study, the average coral coverage was 7%. But at the end of the project, the area covered by the protected area increased to about 19%, while the non-protected areas did not show signs of recovery.

Well-protected coral reefs can be restored, becoming homes for thousands of different species

Professor Peter Mumby of Exeter University said: "Coral reefs are the largest living structure on Earth and the home of the largest ecosystem on the planet. Climate change and the environment have made The coral reefs that exist over hundreds of thousands of years change so fast in their adaptability, in order to protect the coral reefs in the long term, we need drastic actions to reduce CO emissions. ₂ ".

Research by a group of scientists led by Professor Mumby points out that limiting the catch of parrot fish will help restore the coral. Parrot fish eat seaweed, competing plants vigorously survive with corals in nature. New research could help coral reefs face the inevitable threat of climate change.

A few interesting things about corals:

- A coral reef is made of a thin layer of CaCO ₃ (limestone) accumulated over thousands of years by billions of small soft animal bodies called coral polyps.

- Coral reefs are the most diverse marine ecosystem on earth, home to more than 25% of marine animals discovered, including 4,000 species of fish, 700 species of coral and thousands of animals and plants other.

- Coral reefs have appeared on our planet 400 million years ago.

- The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Range, which stretches across the northeastern coast of Australia, starting from the northern tip of Queensland, north of Bundaberg. With a length of 2,300 km, it is considered the largest natural image on the planet.

- Besides supporting the tourism industry, coral reefs also help protect coastal areas from erosion and storm effects.