Indepth Articles
[Nov. 06, 2008]
Japanese coral reef researchers are identifying ways not only to preserve coral, but also how to increase the vital ecologically needed coral beds for maintaining a sustainable system for all marine life. At present coral reefs throughout the world face a crisis due to glogal warming, climate change, and ocean pollution.
Since 1999 the Nippon Foundation has supported coral research projects in the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa) archipelago between Kyushu and Taiwan. Key lessons learned are that damaged coral is recoverable with proper care, and it can be increased with manmade methods.
It was discovered during this research, for example, that coral spawns during the time of the full moon. Further, it was found that that researchers could actually increase the number of coral eggs through artificial spawning techniques. This technology was used in coral beds to stimulate coral to grow in areas where there had been no previous significant development.
One immediate benefit for several of the Okinawa islands is that revitalized coral reefs are attracting more scuba diving tourists. This is because the islanders learned and worked directly with researchers about coral preservation and development.
These research efforts have also attracted experts from other countries to visit Okinawa to learn about the work with coral beds. One further development that is of great interest to all researchers is the discovery that coral can be artificially developed and then transferred to coral beds that require revitalization and new growth. This will add greatly to the ability of coral and human beings living together in harmony.
More than 450 different coral types have been identified in the world. Coral reefs are formed by the accumulation of calcareous skeletons after these corals die. Coral reefs play an important role in the marine ecosystem and provide a secure living space for many forms of life, even human beings. They also serve as an indicator of environmental change on a global scale, including climate change.
Another Okinawa project supported by the Nippon Foundation, which is connected with international coral reef preservation is "Reef Check," a non-profit organization that conducts regular reef checks in Japan with volunteer divers. This NPO and its worldwide network aims to conduct periodic and standardized surveys of coral reef health around the world for use by researchers. The Reef Check network, which was established in 30 countries in 1997, has expanded to 84 countries, and the number of monitoring locations in Japan has increased to more than 20.