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Protecting Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys: How Crabs Could Be the Solution

Protecting Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys: How Crabs Could Be the Solution

FromHow To Protect The Ocean


Protecting Coral Reefs in the Florida Keys: How Crabs Could Be the Solution

FromHow To Protect The Ocean

ratings:
Length:
15 minutes
Released:
Oct 13, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

The summer was tough on corals due to bleaching caused by high ocean temperatures. However, a researcher in Florida is trying to help by using crabs to eat the algae that cover the corals and hinder their growth. This ambitious plan involves breeding a quarter of a million Caribbean king crabs each year. Link to article: https://www.vox.com/down-to-earth/2023/9/27/23883039/florida-coral-reef-caribbean-king-crabs-restoration Share your conservation journey on the podcast by booking here: https://calendly.com/sufb/sufb-interview   Fill out our listener survey: https://www.speakupforblue.com/survey   Join the audio program - Build Your Marine Science and Conservation Career: https://www.speakupforblue.com/career   Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3NmYvsI Connect with Speak Up For Blue: Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc  The summer presented significant challenges for corals as they experienced widespread bleaching events caused by high ocean temperatures. In Florida waters, temperatures soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to extensive coral bleaching. Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel the algae, known as zoanthellae, that reside within their tissues. These algae are vital for the growth and survival of corals as they provide them with food through photosynthesis. When the algae leave the coral skeleton, the corals lose their color and become bleached, appearing white. Prolonged bleaching can ultimately result in the death of corals. Coral reefs play a crucial role in the ecosystem by providing essential habitats for fish, protecting shorelines, and serving as a food source for fishers. Protecting coral reefs is vital for our survival in numerous ways. However, the escalating impacts of climate change pose a significant threat to coral reefs worldwide. Climate change, with its rising sea surface temperatures, is causing more frequent and severe bleaching events. This trend is deeply concerning as corals require optimal conditions to grow and thrive. If corals are unable to grow, critical habitats will be lost, leading to dire consequences. While individuals may feel limited in their ability to directly address climate change and its impacts on corals, there are still actions that can be taken to help protect and support these vulnerable ecosystems. Researchers suggest that reducing other stressors on corals, such as improving water quality and minimizing coastal development, can have a positive impact. High nutrient waters and sedimentation can harm corals by blocking sunlight and inhibiting their growth. By taking steps to minimize these stressors, individuals can contribute to the overall health and resilience of coral reefs. In the episode, Dr. Jason Spadaro, a researcher at Moat Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in the Florida Keys, is leading an ambitious plan to breed a quarter of a million Caribbean king crabs each year. The purpose of breeding these crabs is not for seafood consumption, but rather to help coral reefs survive by consuming algae. Corals are photosynthetic and symbiotic animals that rely on a type of algae called zooxanthellae to reside within their skeleton. However, when algae overgrows the corals, it blocks their access to sunlight, ultimately leading to their demise. This is where the crabs come in. Research conducted by Dr. Spadaro revealed that reefs with crabs had approximately 85% less algae compared to reefs without crabs. The crabs consume the algae, which aids the corals by removing the algae that covers them and inhibits their growth. The need for crabs to consume algae is particularly crucial due to the challenges faced by coral reefs, such as high sea surface temperatures and nutrient pollution, which promote algae growth. Additionally, overfishing of herbivorous fish and diseases affecting urchins have resulted in a decline in the number of animals that naturally consume algae on the reefs. This lack of algae-ea
Released:
Oct 13, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

The host, Andrew Lewin, helps you overcome the problems of the ocean by discussing the latest ocean news and studies that will help you make more informed decisions in your life so you can live for a better ocean.