#coral

news.mongabay.com

These divers are killing a beautiful coral to save Brazil's marine life - news

RIO DE JANEIRO — Beneath the surface of Brazil’s coastal waters, a silent invasion is transforming marine ecosystems. Sun coral (Tubastraea coccinea and Tubastraea tagusensis), an invasive coral native to the Indo-Pacific, is spreading along Brazil’s coastline, threatening native species. First seen in Brazil in the 1980s, attached to an offshore oil platform in Rio de Janeiro state, sun coral has since spread rapidly. Estimates suggest it can expand at 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) rate per year and is now found along approximately 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) of the Brazilian coast. Without any natural predators to keep it in check, sun coral can quickly dominate rocky reefs, outcompeting native species for space. It also releases chemicals that harm neighboring corals, including Brazil’s native brain and star corals. The consequences ripple through the entire ecosystem. As sun coral takes over, small reef-dwelling organisms can disappear, and fish populations may decline. Research suggests that once sun coral covers 45% of a rocky reef, its ecosystem may already be profoundly altered. But Brazil has been fighting back. In 2018, the country created a National Plan to prevent, control and monitor the invasion, bringing together scientists, conservationists and public authorities in an effort that...

www.amazon.com

Yihui Arts Navy Blue Canvas Wall Art Hand Painted White Coral Painting Modern Abstract Tree Pictures Coastal Artwork for Bedroom Living Room Bathroom Decor

www.popsci.com

Scientists detect 'pregnant' coral using ultrasound device

Scientists have a new tool in the fight to save Earth’s endangered coral reefs and it’s something many moms-to-be know all too well: the ultrasound. This week, veteran camera-maker Canon announced its high-tech ultrasound platform can scan living coral submerged underwater and detect eggs developing inside them. Until now, checking whether coral was carrying eggs typically required cutting it open. This ultrasound development means researchers can assess coral reproduction non-invasively for the first time. By using ultrasound, scientists can gather crucial information about a coral’s reproductive health and try to predict when it will release its eggs. That insight can help conservationists time and target their restoration efforts without damaging or sacrificing the species in the process. Canon conducted the experiment in collaboration with United Kingdom-based conservation organization Coral Spawning International (CSI). The team used Canon’s Aplio i700, an advanced medical ultrasound system normally used on humans in hospital settings. In this case though, it scanned six species of large polyp stony coral with varying skeletal structures. The device’s powerful mixture of high and ultra high frequency probes let researchers see through the coal’s skeletons and view their internal structures. The team verified their results by cutting open one coral...

doi.org

Coral Reef‐Level Upwelling in an Internal Wave Hotspot Modulated by Mesoscale Dynamics

Long-term reef-slope temperatures at Dongsha Atoll show internal waves (IWs) sharply reduced heat exposure during intensifying surface heatwaves Temporal modulation of diurnal and semidiurnal IW ...