ENV104 Ocean Optimism

  As the climate has shifted throughout the past several decades, only a small ​fraction of the worlds prime growing zones for coral reefs will maintain the temperatures and acidity to allow coral to thrive. 

​

     Coral bleaching occurs when changes in the environment cause coral to release tiny photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae which normally live on their exoskeletons. The absence of this algae which is coral's primary food source, causes coral to turn white and brittle

​

   However, there is optimism to this unfortunate state. Scientists have begun learning how to create heat resistant corals. The mutation occurs naturally in north-west Australia, where the world's longest tropical tides create super-heated tide pools. This Kimberley coral has a gene mutation that allows it to defend itself against bleaching. Scientists are currently working on transplanting this heat resistant gene to other coral in hopes of preventing bleaching.