Global News - June 2008

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Underwater mission seeks to understand and protect corals

Fri 20 June 2008 14:00 UK — North America,Marine Wildlife

Researchers from the US have begun an eight-day mission to better understand how coral reefs and the rare fish they support can be better protected.

The team from Penn State University explained that it was vital that conservationists began to understand why some species of coral colonies survive transplanting after a disturbance.

They added that hurricanes, global warming, and increased boat traffic were putting coral colonies and the species they support at risk of extinction.

To better understand the coral, a team of researchers will use an underwater facility for science and diving located in Key Largo as a base while they carry out research.

One of the team, Iliana Baums, is hoping that he will be able to determine if genetic differences between corals are linked to their ability to survive trauma and shocks.

They have already gathered coral samples, which they will be placing in different underwater sites.

"By splitting the fragments, we know that they are the same genetically, and we then can determine whether their abilities to withstand transplanting are due to their genetic makeup or to some environmental factor," the assistant professor explained.

"Coral reefs are important because they protect our shores from wave action and create habitat for fish, but they also are beautiful."

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