NASA’s CORAL Campaign Will Raise Reef Studies to a New Level
Coral reefs, sometimes called the rainforests of the sea, are home to a quarter of all ocean fish species. They protect shorelines from storms and provide food for millions of people, yet very little of the world’s reef area has been studied scientifically.
Sixty years on, Attenborough back to Great Barrier Reef for new series
British naturalist Sir David Attenborough first visited Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in 1957, scuba-diving in its crystal clear waters along with an array of species. Nearly 60 years later, the 89-year-old returns to the world’s largest coral reef for a new television series, exploring the spectacular ecosystem.
Coral reefs could be more vulnerable to coastal development than predicted
For years, many scientists thought we had a secret weapon to protect coral reefs from nutrients flushed into the seas by human activity. But a new study sheds doubt on that idea, underscoring the importance of sustainable growth in coastal areas.
Great Barrier Reef Protecting Against Landslides, Tsunamis
The world-famous Australian reef is providing an effective barrier against landslide-induced tsunamis, new research shows.
A Delicate Balance: Protecting Northwest’s Glass Sponge Reefs
Rare and extensive reefs of glass sponges are found only one place on earth – a stretch of the Pacific Northwest coast. Now, efforts are underway to identify and protect these fragile formations before they are obliterated by fishing vessels that trawl the bottom.
Sunscreen Chemical Imperils Coral Reefs Around the Globe
Sunscreen contains a chemical – Oxybenzone – that scientists believe is causing massive damage to coral reefs worldwide and threatens their very existence, researchers warn.
Scientists: Major Coral Bleaching Crisis Spreads Worldwide
The bleaching of colorful coral is spreading into a worldwide, devastating crisis, scientists say, and they predict it will likely get worse.
The Micronesia Challenge: Sustainable Coral Reefs and Fisheries
While island societies can do little to control carbon emissions from developed nations, they can manage their local resources to enhance the ecosystem services that coastal habitats, including reefs, provide for people.
Satellite Images Suggest China Building Is Third Airstrip in South China Sea
China appears to building a third airstrip in disputed waters in the South China Sea, according to new satellite images analyzed by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).