Coral reefs are bleaching in extreme heat. Could underwater umbrellas save them?
Underwater shades could help corals survive extreme heat, but researchers stress that they’re not a catch-all solution.
Coral reefs are experiencing severe bleaching caused by extreme heat, and underwater umbrellas could potentially provide temporary relief. A study conducted in Florida's Keys revealed that floating shades reduced the intensity of sunlight and ultraviolet radiation, which are known to exacerbate bleaching. Researchers monitored 40 colonies of two species of brain coral, half with the umbrellas and half without.
Despite the second-highest heat stress level since 1985, the shaded corals started to regain color after the umbrellas were installed, while the exposed corals became more pale. However, the researchers emphasize that the umbrellas are a short-term solution, as covering entire reefs would be impractical. They view them as a means to protect vulnerable corals during extreme heat events.
The global trend of increasingly frequent bleaching events underscores the urgent need for long-term solutions, such as limiting ocean warming.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
