Monthly Archives: February 2017

The Hidden Devastation behind Beautiful Aquariums

Do you remember those mesmerizing aquariums that decorated the walls of the dentist’s office? The multitude of vibrantly hued fish and coral are nothing less than captivating. But where did those fish and coral come from? Behind aquariums’ exotic exterior … Continue reading

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Heating Up the Reefs

Because they are among the most diverse ecosystems, coral reefs are essential to thousands of oceanic species, and people also rely on them for food, protection and even income1.  It seems to be common knowledge that climate change is having … Continue reading

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Undoing the Damage We’ve Done

Humans have an undeniable impact on the world around them, but it’s often hard to see the damage we’ve done when it’s out of sight under the sea. Often compared to the terrestrial biome of the tropical rainforest, coral reefs … Continue reading

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Corals of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Band

Close your eyes and picture a Caribbean coral reef. You probably saw a beautiful landscape, with colorful patterns and exotic fish. But the sad truth, is that it is not all rainbows and butterflies. Lately, coral reefs have been attacked … Continue reading

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More Than Just a Pretty Picture: The Economic Importance of Coral Reefs

Although many of us are aware that coral reefs around the world are threatened by various factors, the fact seems fairly unrelated to most of our daily lives. However, the truth of the matter is that globally, although in some … Continue reading

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Mangroves: Their Importance on Both Reef Species’ and Human’s Environments

When situated near coral reefs, mangroves affect the reef communities in many interesting ways. Mangroves are trees that can grow in environments with poor oxygen content. Mangroves can grow in fresh, brackish, and salt water. The term ‘mangrove’ does not … Continue reading

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“EN-SO” the Bleaching Goes On

If you live in the United States, you may have noticed that 2015 was a hotter, rainier year than usual. If so, then you were certainly on to something; temperature and precipitation levels in 2015 were significantly above historical averages … Continue reading

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Rainforests of the Sea: Mutualism on Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are home to some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. The intricate shapes and bright colors found on reefs can be reminiscent of the Dr. Seuss books that we all read as kids. They are also … Continue reading

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Fishing for Some Trouble

Wow! This sustains the livelihoods of a plethora of living things. Now, how can I exploit it? In general when many people observe something important for the environment, variations of the aforementioned statement come to mind. Needless to say, coral … Continue reading

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Drowning Out Disease: Are Coral Reefs the Link?

When most people think of coral reefs, what comes to mind are vibrant scenes of enormous coral colonies surrounded by an immensely colorful array of organisms that would put rainbows to shame. And while these images are often visually astounding, … Continue reading

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