Bronstein described the affected sea urchin species as the “lawn mowers” of coral reefs, since they remove algae that otherwise blocks sunlight, allowing the coral to thrive.

In the 1980s, a pathogenic ciliate parasite epidemic eradicated the sea urchin population in the Caribbean, damaging the coral reef irreversibly. Once the urchins disappeared, according to Bronstein, ...

As warming waters devastate coral around the world, the sea’s stunningly colorful reefs have been remarkably resilient. But pollution, mass tourism and overfishing put them at risk.

The brightly coloured coral reefs of the Red Sea are an underwater paradise, home to dazzlingly beautiful fish and a fascinating array of other marine life. Despite the impact of climate change ...

Science The Red Sea Could be a Climate Refuge for Coral Reefs A large new marine protected area could help some of the world’s most heat-tolerant corals survive the century, if the pressures ...

Coral reefs usually exist in shallow waters. But the study found depressions that went more than 200 meters deep throughout the Farasan Bank coral reef system,” she said.

In the northern Red Sea, however, corals can withstand temperatures as much as 7 degrees Celsius above the summer maximum, said Maoz Fine, a marine biologist and Red Sea coral reef expert at the ...

It can be found on the walls and overhangs of coral reefs, covered in red coralline algae. It lives in small holes and crevices, using its large canines to capture tiny invertebrates.

Not as much of the reef is covered in coral as you might think. The name may be misleading you. Within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, coral covers only about 6 or 7 percent of the territory.

Sea urchin pandemic spreads beyond Red Sea, endangering coral reefs share close. URL Copied; Reuters. Published: 07 June ,2024: 11:55 AM GST Updated: 07 June ,2024: 01:44 PM GST.

The particular species of sea urchin impacted is a well-known protector of coral reefs and the deaths put the already fragile reef ecosystem in even more peril. Sign up here.