Reef ecosystems are complex, three-dimensional marine habitats, typically structured by biogenic reef-builders such as scleractinian corals, coralline algae, or oysters, that support highly diverse, spatially structured communities of microorganisms, algae, invertebrates, and vertebrates. They are characterized by strong environmental gradients (light, nutrients, hydrodynamics), tight biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and intricate trophic networks linking primary producers, detritivores, and higher consumers. Research on reef ecosystems focuses on processes such as calcification, bioerosion, symbiosis (e.g., coral–Symbiodiniaceae associations), connectivity among reef patches, and responses to stressors including warming, acidification, eutrophication, and overfishing, with implications for ecosystem resilience and regime shifts.
The world's tropical coral reefs have almost certainly crossed a point of no return as oceans warm beyond a level most can survive, a major scientific report announced on Monday.
Ecology
Oct 13, 2025
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The world faces a "new reality" as we have reached the first of many Earth system tipping points that will cause catastrophic harm unless humanity takes urgent action, according to a report released by the University of Exeter ...
Earth Sciences
Oct 12, 2025
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New research has revealed that about 90% of marine aquarium fish sold by online retailers in the United States are sourced directly from wild populations, mostly in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean. With the US accounting ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 8, 2025
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128
A University of Hawai'i at Mānoa graduate's new research reveals that plastic pollution poses a significant, unseen threat to endangered coral reefs. The study found that chemicals leaching from plastics disrupt the two most ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 6, 2025
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27
To dramatically increase coral survival rates, scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) have developed innovative 3D-printed ceramic structures that provide crucial protection ...
Ecology
Sep 30, 2025
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In a landmark effort to combat the devastating effects of climate change, a new global alliance with key leadership from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has been established to create a "Noahʻs Ark" for coral reefs.
Plants & Animals
Sep 25, 2025
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QUT researchers have developed a pioneering mathematical framework to help "pick winners" and maximize limited funding and resources when investing in technologies to protect threatened ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier ...
Ecology
Sep 25, 2025
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They are beautiful, they are everywhere, and they are absurdly unknown: you are entirely forgiven if you've never heard of foraminifera before. But they play a huge role in the functioning of marine ecosystems, and they are ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 23, 2025
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108
Coral reefs are renowned for their beauty as well as their diversity. But not many people know that most of the diversity found around coral reefs is completely hidden to the naked eye. Welcome to the world of microbes.
Ecology
Sep 18, 2025
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27
Most coral reefs will soon stop growing and may begin to erode—and almost all will do so if global warming hits 2°C, according to a new study in the western Atlantic. An international team, led by scientists from the University ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 17, 2025
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