Changing Seas S03E02 · Reef Revival

Overview

In the emerging science of coral reef restoration, marine biologists and resource managers are discovering naturally occurring mechanisms that promote coral growth and restore ecological balance in these gardens of the sea. Since the late 1970s close to 98% of Staghorn and Elkhorn corals have disappeared from reefs in Florida and the Caribbean. Around the world, damage from boat groundings and other factors have placed these organisms on the "threatened" list of the Endangered Species Act. Staghorn and Elkhorn are considered principal reef building corals. In South Florida, scientists are using native sponges and spiny sea urchins in novel ways that may help attract corals to damaged sites. Can nature heal itself with a little help from marine experts? Can new technologies help restore the lost coral communities?

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. Alien Invaders2011-06-07In the waters of the western Atlantic and Caribbean, a voracious alien predator has taken hold. Native to the Indo-Pacific, the invasive lionfish is a major threat to biodiversity.
2. 2 2. Reef Revival2011-06-14In the emerging science of coral reef restoration, marine biologists and resource managers are discovering naturally occurring mechanisms that promote coral growth and restore ecol
3. 3 3. Prescription: Oceans2011-06-21The oceans are part of America's newest medical frontier. In Florida, scientists are studying a variety of marine invertebrates which may hold the key to unlocking the secrets of o
4. 4 4. After the Spill2011-06-28The catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 may no longer make headline news, but the story is far from over. Oceanographers continue to study the long-term effe