I’ve been personally fascinated with Turbinaria heronensis ever since the first time I saw one in a book, but never could I have believed that I would ever get my hands on a whole colony of this fantastic species. Looking more…
New study finds that biodiversity doesn’t always equal resiliency
A recent study suggests that corals with greater diversity of symbiodinium (aka zooxanthellae) are more sensitive to environmental changes than corals with fewer variety of symbiodinium. Published by the Royal Society Biological Sciences, the research breaks down the corals as…
Coral bleaching video tells you everything there is to know about zukes (Zoox)
Here is a fun little animated video which tells the amusing story of how corals live and what happens when reef ecosystems suffer from coral bleaching. If you have kids who are always asking questions about your reef tank, now…
Algae linked to chemical warfare vs. coral reefs
The growing list of things damaging coral reefs just got longer as a new study in Fiji has found some seaweeds actually produce chemicals that cause coral bleaching and suppresses photosynthesis. This could lead to more discoveries of similar seaweed…
Reef Safe sunscreen uses unique biodegradable formula to help limit damage to reefs
Reef Safe SunCare has developed a biodegradble and more environmentally friendly sunscreen and has earned the approval of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society. The Florida-based company Beach Buff that owns the brand is hoping to increase the public awareness of…
Rising ocean temperatures is making some coral populations move to cooler reefs
In addition to coral bleaching events, increases in ocean temperatures are having another affect on reef building corals, with populations of some species migrating away from the equator. A new study found corals around Japan shifting north to waters thought…
Scientists link both hot and cool ocean temperatures to coral disease
We have seen studies on warmer ocean temperatures and the effects it has on coral disease and bleaching events but a new study shows the link between mild water temperatures during the preceding winter period with outbreaks of coral diseases.…
Petition targets 83 coral species for U.S. endangered species list protection
The Center for Biological Diversity recently prepared and filed a scientific petition to have 83 coral species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The petition, filed on October 20, 2009, looks to use the powers of…
Coral Cryobank being developed to preserve the diversity of threatened coral species
The Coral Cryobank is the first global effort to help preserve coral species from the world’s struggling reefs that is being spearheaded by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The Coral Cryobank aims to protect the future of coral species…
What do Bill Maher and Dr. Terry Gosliner have in common?
[youtube width=”640″ height=”505″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo5GZKnOazY[/youtube] Opinions on reefs and climate change is what they have in common. Political comedian and talk show host Bill Maher talked about coral reefs on his show this week “Real Time with Bill Maher.” This short clip…