Soft Corals Taking Over from Hard Corals: How To Adapt Restoration Techniques.

Introduction:

As the climate continues to change, the survival landscape for our oceans' coral reefs is dramatically shifting. Traditionally, hard corals have been the architects of these vibrant underwater cities, building complex structures that host an array of marine life. However, due to increasing ocean temperatures and acidification, these hard, reef-building corals are struggling to adapt. There's an emerging pattern in our seas: a shift from hard, calcareous corals to softer, non-reef-building varieties. This transition raises significant concerns for us at Ocean Sole, particularly regarding the myriad fish species that rely on hard coral structures for shelter, breeding, and survival.

Vibrant Sanctuary: A thriving coral reef teems with life, showcasing hard corals in a kaleidoscope of colors and forms.

Recognizing this pivotal shift, we are preemptively adapting our coral restoration efforts. As we plan our future projects, a primary focus will be on creating alternative habitats that can substitute natural hard coral homes, sculpting them from coral-like substances to ensure the continuity of these vital ecosystems. Materials like eco-friendly concrete, ceramic, and specially designed artificial reef modules have shown promise in similar conservation initiatives worldwide, providing not just refuge but also encouraging natural coral growth and fish aggregation.

This adaptive approach aims to blend scientific understanding with proactive measures, ensuring that our restoration strategies align with the evolving needs of our marine environments.

Comparing Realms: A Side-by-Side Look at Hard and Soft Corals - Discover the unique characteristics and roles of these vital marine builders versus their more resilient counterparts. Diagram adapted from Citizen's of the Reef.

Understanding the Shift:

Coral Bleaching and Acidification:

Global climate change has intensified marine heatwaves, leading to widespread coral bleaching. This phenomenon occurs when corals, stressed by elevated water temperatures, expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living within their tissues. Without these algae, corals lose their major source of food, leading to a stark, whitened appearance and a fight for survival. Further exacerbating this situation is ocean acidification, a direct result of increased CO2 absorption by seawater. This process not only hampers coral growth by dissolving their calcium carbonate skeletons but also inhibits their ability to recover from environmental stresses.

Stark Reality: This bleached coral stands in stark contrast to the vibrant reef, highlighting the severe impacts of thermal stress.

Algal Dominance and Ecosystem Changes:

Reduced populations of reef fish, a consequence of overfishing and habitat degradation, fail to keep algae in check. This imbalance allows algae to flourish, covering bleached corals and thwarting the recolonization by beneficial algae. Noteworthy observations by marine biologists like Peter Edmunds in the Virgin Islands have documented how aggressive algal species, particularly from the Peyssonneliaceae family, outcompete and smother recovering corals, further destabilizing reef structures.

Under Threat: Adelaide Dahl assesses the survival of young corals amidst the rapid spread of encroaching red algae. Image taken from Science.org article on Algal outbreaks around the world are crowding out corals.

Implications for Marine Life:

The dominance of soft corals over hard corals disrupts traditional reef frameworks, which are critical habitats for myriad marine organisms. Hard corals' complex structures offer refuge, breeding grounds, and hunting grounds for various fish species and invertebrates. As these calcareous constructions give way to softer varieties, the architectural loss translates directly into a loss of biodiversity, affecting fish populations and the broader marine food web.

Proactive Measures and Coral Restoration:

In response to these challenges, conservationists are innovating restoration techniques to adapt to our changing seas. Traditional methods, such as cultivating corals in nurseries, have expanded to include the construction of artificial structures that provide alternative habitats for reef fish and other marine life. These structures help mimic the complex environments that hard corals once offered, providing essential shelter and breeding sites to sustain fish populations and, by extension, entire marine ecosystems.

Oceans Alive Coral Nurseries in Kuruwitu Kenya. Pioneering coral restoration on the East African coast.

Hope for Reefs: Young corals being carefully cultivated on metal frames in a coral nursery, a crucial step towards reef restoration.

Conclusion:

The transition from hard to soft corals is a stark indicator of the broader environmental shifts affecting our planet. While this presents significant challenges, it also compels us to innovate and redouble our efforts in marine conservation. By understanding these changes and responding proactively, we can help maintain the biodiversity and ecological services that coral reefs provide. Let us commit to supporting these efforts, ensuring that the oceans continue to thrive for future generations.

Call to Action:

We have some very exciting coral reef regenerating projects coming up! Keep in the loop by following us on socials, and support our efforts by donating now! :)