Why scientists are using cheap picnic coolers to protect some of the world’s most endangered animals
PALAU, Micronesia — The ride out to sea was, in a word, unpleasant. The coastal waters of Palau, an island nation in the western Pacific, are typically calm and electric blue, like what you might see on a screensaver or postcard. The country has put in place some of the world’s most rigorous protections to […]
Palau, an island nation in the western Pacific, boasts some of the world's most pristine coral reefs. However, these delicate ecosystems are under threat from a combination of factors, including rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and other dangers. Over the past two decades, billions of dollars have been invested in restoring coral reefs worldwide, as they provide essential services to both humans and marine life.
Unfortunately, many of the corals planted to restore these reefs often die due to increasingly warm waters and marine heat waves. Scientists in Palau have found a cost-effective solution to this problem by using inexpensive picnic coolers to test the resilience of corals to extreme heat. By subjecting corals to high temperatures in these coolers, researchers can identify the most heat-resistant individuals, which have a better chance of surviving in the increasingly warm ocean.
This low-tech method could prove crucial in overcoming one of the biggest challenges in reef restoration and ensuring the survival of these vital ecosystems in the face of climate change.
Written by urgent.news from Vox's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
