Scientists Breed Corals to Save Great Barrier Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Reef, a rich and complex ecosystem, faces threats from climate change and marine heatwaves. Scientists are actively working on restoration efforts, nurturing baby corals in experimental tanks at their Sea Simulator facility.

This initiative began in December, with researchers recreating the annual mass coral spawning event. By manipulating conditions like temperature and pH, they bred coral offspring for reseeding damaged reef areas. The project is currently a proof of principle, with hopes to scale up and automate the process, focusing on heat-tolerant coral strains.

Despite these efforts, the immense scale of the Great Barrier Reef, comparable to the size of Japan, poses a significant challenge. The ongoing question remains whether these restoration methods can be scaled sufficiently to counteract the damage, or if it is too late to save the reef.