Replanting Corals

Kristen Marhaver (credit: CARMABI)

International climate meetings occur at big conferences but some biologists are already acting to reverse damages from climate change and other stresses on marine ecosystems. Innovative programs at the Caribbean Marine Biological Institute (CARMABI) have shown that growing rare corals can help restore damaged reefs today and build resilience for tomorrow. Located on Curaçao, CARMABI remains the largest marine station in the southern Caribbean. At the lab, Kristen Marhaver, a marine research ecologist, is growing baby corals for reef transplantation and testing their resilience under changing water conditions.

              Star Coral embryos and Juvenile Pillar Coral transplant  (credit: Kristen Marhaver, CARMABI)
                                                                                   
She shared her innovative ecological efforts on coral re-establishment for two TED audiences. Marhaver remains hopeful that it is not too late to act and help the Caribbean, along with some time, stable temperatures, and strong protection, corals there have shown the ability to survive trauma. Hopefully, climate change conferences will pay more attention to such environmental restoration projects, and the demonstrated results, to build upon technologies already available.

WHB

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