For the first time, biologists have successfully reproduced a critical species using aquarium technology. They hope that by offering extra protection from the fury of hurricanes, they will be able to pay back the people who have taken away their land. The Caribbean used to have elhorn coral. Just as other vital coral ecosystems are degrading around the world, elkhorn are not seen in the wild anymore. It has been difficult to grow this species in an aquarium because it is so important. Scientists were happy when they saw their experiment was a success. The senior scientist at the aquarium that oversees the spawning lab said the first sense was relief. The state of Florida is home to the elkhorn coral, which is in danger of extinction. The aquarium has 14 species spawned inside the Apollo Beach lab, but the team considers the 14th one the most important. The spawning experiment produced thousands of baby coral, but O'Neil thinks there are only 300 left. She expects a lot of them to live into adulthood. Scientists reported in August that the Great Barrier Reef was showing the largest amount of coral in 36 years. Studies show that the climate crisis could wipe out all of Earth's coral reefs by the end of the century. In 2006 the coral was listed as a federally threatened species due to the decline in population. Ocean warming is the biggest threat. Coral expels the algae that live inside it as the temperature rises. The process of coral dying is called coral bleaching. O'Neil said they're dying around the world. They might never be the same at this point. It's not possible to have the ocean running a high temperature every summer.
But the lab's senior scientist also emphasized to CNN that "There is hope for coral reefs. Don't give up hope. It's all not lost. "However, we need to make serious changes in our behavior to save this planet."
All Rights Reserved © 2024
