The diverse marine life in coral reefs has earned them the reputation of being the underwater equivalent of rainforests. Researchers estimate that a quarter of all marine species thrive in and around coral reefs, making them one of the most varied habitats on the planet.
Restored coral reefs can bounce back in just 4 years, says new discovery
Yet, coral reefs are facing multiple threats such as pollution, overfishing, ocean acidification, physical damage, and warming waters. However, a recent study demonstrates that coral reefs that are restored artificially can regrow at an impressive pace.
One of the largest restoration projects in the world suggested Reef Stars as the solution
The study pertains to the Mars Coral Reef Restoration Program, which took place in South Sulawesi, Indonesia and is one of the largest restoration projects in the world. The program has introduced a comprehensive approach to reef restoration called Reef Stars.
Reef Stars involves locally fabricated steel structures that are not placed in isolation on the reef but are anchored together to form a web-like structure across the rubble beds and around existing coral bommies. The project team works closely with local communities, organizations, and stakeholders to select suitable locations for reef restoration that are both practical and necessary.
Reef Stars coated in sand, which infant corals can be attached onto, are made by local communities
Scientists didn’t expect to see a full recovery of reef framework production after only 4 years
Lange pointed out that finding a solution for coral restoration requires a customized approach, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, the success of the recent restoration project could serve as a source of inspiration for other similar initiatives worldwide. The coral transplanting efforts focused solely on one type of coral, the branched coral, which is particularly vulnerable to bleaching caused by higher water temperatures. Nevertheless, scientists are hopeful that this project will help promote the growth of a more diverse reef over time.
Coral bleaching has been a growing concern since the 1980s, and the situation became much worse in 2016 when an El Niño weather pattern, which typically results in warmer Pacific Ocean waters, combined with already high ocean temperatures and led to the loss of approximately one-third of the corals on the Great Barrier Reef.
The coral reef was turned from rubble to a colorful field within 4 years
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