There has been a lot of gloom about the likely impact of global warming on the survival of corals and their associated organisms around the world. Even small elevations of temperature have produced massed 'bleaching' events, where these colonial animals lose their symbiotic algae on which they partially depend. It may, however, be possible to 'reseed' damaged reefs with temperature-resistant coral species. In experiments, corals from the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, survived a rise of 7⁰C above a supposedly lethal level (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jul/21/heat-resistant-corals-offer-hope-as-climate-crisis-warms-up-oceans). This appears to be yet another example of nature already doing the job for us by selecting organisms that are already capable of dealing with atypical water temperatures.
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Friday, 24 July 2020
Red Hot Corals
There has been a lot of gloom about the likely impact of global warming on the survival of corals and their associated organisms around the world. Even small elevations of temperature have produced massed 'bleaching' events, where these colonial animals lose their symbiotic algae on which they partially depend. It may, however, be possible to 'reseed' damaged reefs with temperature-resistant coral species. In experiments, corals from the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, survived a rise of 7⁰C above a supposedly lethal level (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jul/21/heat-resistant-corals-offer-hope-as-climate-crisis-warms-up-oceans). This appears to be yet another example of nature already doing the job for us by selecting organisms that are already capable of dealing with atypical water temperatures.
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