Hope for Corals in Crisis

Coral reefs around the world are facing a dangerous decline, but there is still hope! This behind-the-scenes video highlights some of the novel technologies and approaches WHOI researchers are developing to detect and diagnose at-risk corals before any visible signs of damage when there is still time to intervene.

The complexities of these dynamic coral reef ecosystems require solutions that are rooted in collaboration across disciplines. Researchers highlighted in this film include:
Amy Apprill – Microbial Ecologist
Aran Mooney – Sensory Biologist
Colleen Hansel – Marine Chemist
Yogi Girdhar – Underwater Roboticist

Produced, Directed, Shot, and Edited by Craig LaPlante
Underwater Videography provided by Dan Mele
Additional video provided by Danny Hentz
Graphic Design by Riley Orlando
Production assistance provided by
Veronique LaCapra
Ken Kostel
Jayne Doucette

© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

[jeffjackson]

I've raised corals in a reef tank. The LPS and SPS (hard corals) need the right light, flow, temp. and water parameters. They can handle a pH as low as 7.8 and a dKH as low as 7. Anything less than that, they will begin to die off. having proper Salanity, Calcium, and Magnesium, trace elements, is also crucial, although that probably isn't an issue in an open ocean. It's weird these guys aren't testing the water as much as some of this other stuff.

[FlyTyer]

Are you at the point in your research where you see possible solutions or are you still primarily hunting for causes of problems? Either way, this is extremely important research, but it would be nice to know if you have found some solutions.

[BB-cfgx]

Coral should be intensively and comprehensively studied. But no alarmism. Just the facts. All the facts. You're the scientists. Your reputation is at stake. In a generation will you be judged credible?