Not long ago, the idea of growing coral reefs was considered a “fringe” idea, not practical. But now we realize that coral gardening is both viable and necessary for rehabilitating our coral reef ecosystems and to repair the damage caused by extraordinary heat events that are becoming much less extraordinary. The experimentation occurring in coral gardening has led to the discovery of coral species that are more resilient to ocean warming and that can be grown at an accelerated rate.
Update: Celebrating The Year of the Reef
During 2018 we are celebrating The International Year of The Reef. Over the next few months we will increase the frequency of our articles on the world’s coral reef ecosystems. We will include current news on the health of reefs and the worldwide efforts to maintain and restore them. In addition, we will republish a variety of our past, but still very pertinent and helpful articles on coral reefs. Our hope is that this effort will focus more attention on these very important issues.
If you visit YouTube you will find a surprising number of videos on underwater gardening showing projects from the Florida Keys, thru the Caribbean to Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean.
It is happening now and a lot of people have been captivated by the prospect of participating. I know my family would love to plan a citizen scientist working/playing vacation to help in a coral reef nursery. Diving and simultaneously saving a coral reef, what’s not to love about that.
So here are just a few of the available videos that take you under the water and into the amazing world of coral reef gardening. Start off with Dr. Austin Bowden-Kerby’s TED talk on the importance of coral gardening in fighting climate change.
Coral Gardening: Frontline in the Battle Against Climate Change – Dr. Austin Bowden-Kerby – TEDxSuva
The Mote Marine Laboratory with Zachary Moses
How to Build a Coral farm in Grand Cayman
Parallel Journeys – A Story of Dive Rite and the Coral Restoration Foundation
Coral Garden Tourism in the Dominican Republic
By Robert Frerck, Blue Ocean Network
Related Blue Ocean Articles on Coral Reef Gardening:
Reef Life Restoration Teams with Environmental Moorings to Save Coral from Anchors, Rebuild Caribbean Reefs
Summit: 2015, Citizen Science, Dive Tourism as tools for conservation, The value of coral reefs. Local activism and engagement.
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