There might still be hope for the Great Barrier Reef. Researchers were able to successfully take a coral transplant from a part of the barrier reef to another. Australian scientists are glad to know that this transplantation was successful. They believe such a move could help damaged ecosystems from all around the world return to the shape they were in before pollution and other factors ruined them.
The Coral Transplant and Its Effects
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most affected underwater natural reserves in the world. This reef was once a spectacular ecosystem but is now suffering from extensive bleaching. Because of pollution, climate change is showing its effects on various places in the world. Now, researchers believe that several coral transplants might help this ecosystem recover in just a few years.
Scientists conducted a trial to test a coral transplant and see if it is useful. They collected considerable amounts of eggs and coral spawn last year. These were grown into larvae and transplanted into some of the most damaged parts of the reef. Eight months later, the researchers were amazed to see that the coral survived. Not only that, but it also seems to have been growing.
“The success of this new research not only applies to the Great Barrier Reef but has potential global significance,” mentioned Peter Harrison, the lead researcher.
When taking measures for restoring damaged coral reef, there is another thing that needs to be taken into consideration. People need to make some changes to protect the reefs because the restoration work will be in vain when the corals are damaged again.
The warming sea temperatures brought the most damage to the corals. Year after year, the Great Barrier Reef is even more affected by coral bleaching. The study team mentioned that it is looking to take coral transplants to a bigger scale. In doing so, they are looking to help the reef go back to its previous beauty.
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