It takes a strong constitution to be a coral researcher these days. These vibrant underwater ecosystems are beset by all manner of challenges in the 21st century, from bleaching events and pollution to storm surges and overfishing. But there鈥檚 good news on the way for coral conservation.
澳门六合彩资料库 Santa Barbara has received $1.3 million from the W. M. Keck Foundation to fund a multi-campus collaboration on coral regeneration. , associate professor in the 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis Department of Evolution and Ecology, is a member of the team. The three-year grant will support researchers as they investigate how corals heal from damage and withstand environmental threats, particularly those associated with climate change.
The team is enthusiastic about the opportunity. 鈥淚鈥檓 profoundly grateful for the support from the Keck Foundation,鈥 said , lead researcher and professor in the 澳门六合彩资料库SB Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology. 鈥淎nd I鈥檓 optimistic that the research will offer hope for the restoration of coral reefs in the face of climate change.鈥
Coral reefs harbor a diverse array of marine life, protect shorelines from erosion and bolster economies through fisheries and tourism. The survival of these ecosystems hinges on the corals鈥 ability to recover from injuries inflicted by storms, predators and human activities.
With half of the world鈥檚 coral reefs lost since 1950, this timely project aims to uncover the mechanisms that enable corals to heal and withstand escalating environmental threats. 鈥淥ur primary goal is to develop a comprehensive model that links coral tissue damage and regeneration with overall colony growth, reproduction, survival and response to thermal stress,鈥 said Stier. 鈥淲e hypothesize that local tissue damage triggers a cascade of responses throughout the coral colony, affecting gene expression, polyp regeneration and energy allocation.鈥
Coral biologists have long assumed that energy moves from healthy parts of a coral colony to help heal damaged tissue. 鈥淲e aim to reexamine this assumption by tracking damage signals at a molecular level,鈥 said Ashley Seifert, a professor at University of Kentucky (UKY) and part of the research team. 鈥淏y integrating temperature into our experiments, we hope to better model cellular resilience in corals and identify key factors that facilitate regeneration.鈥
Regenerative biology
The research team, comprising experts in regenerative biology and coral ecology from 澳门六合彩资料库SB, UKY, 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis and University of Georgia will use the resilient coral species Porites lobata as a model organism. Controlled experiments will measure the effects of various wound types and intensities on coral colonies.
鈥淲e鈥檒l employ molecular assays and respirometry to track how signals of tissue damage propagate across the coral colony,鈥 said Bay. 鈥淯nderstanding these molecular pathways is crucial for identifying the key factors that enable corals to heal and recover.鈥
The team will also investigate how thermal stress affects coral regeneration. Experiments conducted at different temperatures will reveal whether the same corals that tolerate heat stress also boast enhanced regenerative capabilities.
The Keck Foundation鈥檚 funding is a milestone in the global effort to save coral reefs. By deciphering how corals heal and withstand stress, scientists can develop more effective strategies to protect and restore these essential ecosystems.
鈥淎s the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, our research offers a beacon of hope for the survival of coral reefs and the myriad forms of life they support,鈥 Stier said.
Media Resources
Adapted from a .
Harrison Tasoff is a science writer at 澳门六合彩资料库 Santa Barbara.