Roughly 1,000 pieces of coral are being grown in a land-based laboratory in the UAE. It may seem like an unlikely spot for regenerating coral reefs, but the corals are already brighter than when they were trimmed a month ago.
In six to 12 months, as the corals get healthier, Coral Vita will relocate them to waters outside of Dubai. The private company has been helping restore reefs across the globe. It began land-based coral farming in the Bahamas in 2019.
Climate Change Not The Only Threat To Coral Reefs
In coral farming, fragments of corals are collected from local reefs, raised in farms until mature and then installed at the restoration site. The firm notes that by growing resilient corals at scale, the international community can preserve reef health and the impressive benefits they offer.
Coral restoration programmes are up against long odds because of climate change and environmental degradation. But they are also critical for ensuring certain species of coral do not become extinct, according to marine scientists.
Interestingly, corals in the Persian Gulf have evolved to counter high temperatures, making them some of the best candidates for understanding how reefs react to extreme heat, that is taking a toll even on the hardiest reefs across the globe.
Nonetheless, climate change is not the only threat to coral reefs around the UAE. Desalination plants have also contributed to increasing the Persian Gulf’s coastal water temperatures. Without intervention, the temperatures are expected to rise even further.
Focus On Protecting The Environment, Above Anything Else
Reefs occupy less than 0.1% of the ocean’s floor. But a staggering 25% of all known marine species depend on them at some point in their life cycles. In addition, they stop storm waves, too. But by some estimates, the planet has lost half of its coral cover since 1950.
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Although coral restoration may eventually become a significant element in a bigger strategy to conserve reefs, the best way to help coral would be for governments and companies to focus on protecting the environment, above anything else.
