A team of marine scientists from Guangxi University has made a significant advancement in coral conservation, coinciding with World Oceans Day. The team, working off the coast of Weizhou Island in the South China Sea, has successfully developed a key technology to induce large-scale coral spawning in high-latitude regions.
This breakthrough allows for the controlled sexual reproduction of corals, representing a crucial step in transforming Weizhou Island into a protected area for corals facing threats from global climate change. The research team has transitioned from simply planting corals to breeding them, contributing to the creation of thriving underwater ecosystems.
Coral reefs, vital ecosystems supporting a vast array of marine life, have been significantly impacted by global warming and human activities, leading to widespread coral bleaching. Weizhou Island experienced a dramatic decline in coral cover, prompting the Guangxi University team to initiate restoration efforts in 2015.
The team's restoration efforts involved cultivating coral colonies in laboratories, salvaging fragments, and transplanting them to the seabed. Their 2,000-square-meter restoration zone has shown remarkable progress, with coral cover increasing significantly. They have also installed artificial reefs and transplanted a large number of coral colonies, restoring a substantial area of reefs.
The team recognized that natural reproduction is essential for long-term restoration success. They developed techniques to identify spawning windows by monitoring coral development and seawater conditions. Their efforts culminated in the identification of a specific "golden window" for coral spawning off Weizhou Island.
During this period, divers captured images of corals releasing reproductive bundles, while other scientists induced spawning and collected eggs and sperm. In the laboratory, researchers worked to preserve the gametes in liquid nitrogen.
This expedition confirmed that the restored corals had reached sexual maturity and are capable of mass reproduction. The laboratory now houses liquid nitrogen tanks storing reproductive cells from various coral populations, acting as a crucial resource for future restoration efforts.
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