Scientists are uncovering a hidden layer of coral reef ecosystems, one dominated not by visible…
Browsing: Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are intricate underwater ecosystems built by colonies of tiny marine animals known as coral polyps. These vibrant structures are found in shallow, warm ocean waters and are among the most biologically diverse habitats on Earth, often called the “rainforests of the sea.” Coral reefs provide critical shelter and sustenance for a wide array of marine life, support coastal communities through fishing and tourism, and act as natural barriers that protect shorelines from erosion and storm surge. Despite their resilience, reefs face growing threats from climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, and overfishing, making ongoing scientific research essential to their preservation and restoration.
Isotope evidence from fossil otoliths shows Caribbean reef food chains have shrunk by up to…
Marine researchers were astonished by the size of a centuries-old black coral discovered in Fiordland.…
Half the world’s coral reefs were hit hard by extreme ocean heat, and an even…
Scientists have revealed how corals anchor themselves to reefs through a multi-step biological process. The…
Allowing reef fish populations to recover could dramatically increase the global supply of sustainable seafood.…
Coral reefs act like timekeepers for nearby microbes, triggering daily cycles that reshape microscopic life…
By the year 2100, rising carbon dioxide levels are expected to alter ocean chemistry so…
The 2025 Global Tipping Points Report warns that preventing the widespread die-off of coral reefs…
Panama’s seasonal upwelling collapsed in 2025, linked to reduced winds. The event signals risks for…
The color-correcting tool called “SeaSplat” shows underwater features in colors that appear more true to…
Beneath the Mediterranean waves, tiny marine “architects” called bryozoans are showing alarming signs of stress…
A startling new study shows that the waters surrounding Hawai‘i are heading toward levels of…
Most coral reefs do not thrive in nutrient-poor “marine deserts” as once believed, but instead…
The study analyzes the spatial distribution patterns of “grazing halos” surrounding coral reefs. Around the…
Long-term data from a deep-sea observatory shows hurricanes transport reef sediments and pollutants to the…
Studying coral reefs used to mean hours of grueling manual analysis, but artificial intelligence is…
Coral reefs in the Gulf of Eilat paused growth for 3,000 years due to sea-level…