Your current location:HOME >sport >Scientists struggle to protect infant corals from hungry fish 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 07:59:14 Source: Internet compilationEdit:sport
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. —South Florida researchers trying to prevent predatory fish from devouring lab
South Florida researchers trying to prevent predatory fish from devouring laboratory-grown coral are grasping at biodegradable straws in an effort to restore what some call the rainforest of the sea.
Scientists around the world have been working for years to address the decline of coral reef populations. Just last summer, reef rescue groups in South Florida and the Florida Keys were trying to save coral from rising ocean temperatures. Besides working to keep existing coral alive, researchers have also been growing new coral in labs and then placing them in the ocean.
But protecting the underwater ecosystem that maintains more than 25% of all marine species is not easy. Even more challenging is making sure that coral grown in a laboratory and placed into the ocean doesn't become expensive fish food.
Marine researcher Kyle Pisano said one problem is that predators like parrot fish attempt to bite and destroy the newly transplanted coral in areas like South Florida, leaving them with less than a 40% survival rate. With projects calling for thousands of coral to be planted over the next year and tens of thousands of coral to be planted over the next decade, the losses add up when coral pieces can cost more than $100 each.
Pisano and his partner, Kirk Dotson, have developed the Coral Fort, claiming the small biodegradable cage that's made in part with drinking straws boosts the survival rate of transplanted coral to over 90%.
"Parrot fish on the reef really, really enjoy biting a newly transplanted coral," Pisano said. "They treat it kind of like popcorn."
Minnesota Uber and Lyft driver pay package beats deadline to win approval in Legislature2024-05-21 07:31
Across China: Chinese people pay tributes to legendary ancestor2024-05-21 07:16
Xi Meets U.S. Guests2024-05-21 07:03
MNCs keen on green ties in transport, logistics2024-05-21 07:03
Iran helicopter crash that killed President Raisi could reverberate across the Middle East2024-05-21 06:42
New UK sanctions targeting Chinese companies over Ukraine crisis are unilateralism:embassy2024-05-21 06:23
Xi sends congratulatory message to 37th AU Summit2024-05-21 05:59
China, France eye more direct flights, high2024-05-21 05:20
OpenAI pauses ChatGPT voice after Scarlett Johansson comparisons2024-05-21 05:19
China making its mark in global services trade2024-05-21 05:15
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia2024-05-21 07:51
A close look at 3rd China2024-05-21 07:19
Xi stresses enhancing guarantee ability of land element for high2024-05-21 07:16
Nation's NEV output hits milestone2024-05-21 07:09
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti2024-05-21 06:39
Reserve ensures survival of rare monkeys2024-05-21 06:35
Forum highlights structural reforms2024-05-21 06:13
Chinese, Dominican Presidents Exchange Congratulations on 20th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties2024-05-21 06:13
Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia2024-05-21 06:13
Draft rules to improve data security released2024-05-21 05:40