Mohit Nikalje

The rate at which corals are plummeting is drawing exasperation not only from the scientific fraternity but also from the local communities.

Often dubbed the ‘rainforest of the sea,’ corals are crucial for ocean ecosystems. They are colonies of small, sedentary animals called polyps, which secrete calcium carbonate to form complex structures known as reefs. They get their exotic colors from symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, which associate with them. Additionally, their intricate, plant-like structures provide shelter, breeding grounds, and hunting spaces for an astonishing 25% of all marine animals. They are as important to humans as they are to nature, as the livelihoods of millions of people, from fisheries to tourism, depend on them. The Great Barrier Reef tourism alone pumps 6.4 billion dollars annually into the Australian economy and supports 64,000 full-time jobs. Therefore, loss of corals can have devastating effects.

The fishery industry, too, draws huge profits from the corals. A recent study published in the Journal of Marine Policy estimates that coral reefs directly contribute 25 million dollars annually to the fishing and tourism industries of the Asia-Pacific region (APAC).

With human livelihood at stake, conserving corals has become a primary concern for governments, scientists, and innovators across the world. We speak to Dr. Emma Camp, one of the leading voices in coral reef conservation, to get an insight into her journey as a coral biologist. Emma is based in Australia and leads her research team at the Future Reef Program at the University of Technology, Sydney.

“It is a turbulent time because we have instances of watching the systems that we are so passionate about and that we are trying to conserve, go through massive stress events. It's sometimes very emotionally draining to know that you're fighting an uphill battle, and if we don't deal with climate change, our efforts are going to potentially be for nothing,” says Emma.

The whole city under the sea!

Emma’s childhood shaped her passion for corals. She grew up in the U.K., where corals are found in the deep sea; therefore, it wasn’t until a family trip to the Caribbean that she first discovered her love for them.

“I was like, wow, this is really cool; there’s a whole city under here. That’s how my fascination for reefs began.” Emma fondly remembers. She started dreaming about diving again to see these oceanic beauties, for which she was waiting to be old enough. It was during her bachelor's at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, USA, that she realized that these creatures that fascinated her for so long are actually at the brink of extinction.

Emma collecting corals on the Great barrier Reef for her teams research. Source: Emma Camp

Corals generally grow in warm, shallow, and clear waters; however, global sea warming, ocean acidification, and harm inflicted by fishing and trawling are expediting the process of their extinction.

However, one group of corals has shown resilience against such daunting conditions. Corals found in mangroves have been shown to naturally grow in acidic and low-oxygenated waters. These remarkable abilities have also earned them a fascinating name—“super“ corals.

During her PhD at the University of Essex, England, Emma worked on these so-called “super corals”. However, she expresses some reservations about the use of such fancy adjectives. “I feel that it carries a lot of risk, as we don't quantify and clarify what we mean by a super coral.”

Emma working in the mangrove lagoon of Woody Isles on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Source: Emma Camp

What’s special about these ‘super corals’?

For a long time, Emma was intrigued by how these corals survive in extreme conditions. A study from her lab published in Nature Communications suggests an answer. It demonstrates that these corals trade off genetic diversity for higher stress tolerance.

Genetic diversity within a species is important for its adaptability and long-term survival. A rich variety of genes enables populations to withstand environmental changes, resist diseases and maintain reproductive health. On the other hand, reduced genetic diversity can lead to inbreeding, diminished fitness and an increased risk of extinction. Therefore, it is important to track, identify, and study these species to conserve them.

On one such exploration in 2017 with National Geographic, Emma and her team unexpectedly discovered these coral species in the mangrove lagoons of the Great Barrier Reef. It was an unprecedented discovery, because the team thought they might not exist there.

“It was a special moment to find those extreme systems on the Great Barrier Reef,” remembers Emma. “For me, it's an exciting opportunity because they challenge us to see how nature is finding solutions to these changing, hostile environments and it gives me a little bit of hope.”

Source: CNN

One might suggest studying the genetics of these corals and identifying the genes that give them this resilience. These genes can then be inserted into the genomes of other vulnerable species to make them resilient, too. However, this won’t be as easy as it sounds.

“I think the challenge that we have with coral is that they're associated with other microorganisms, including microscopic algae and bacteria. These associates are important for the corals' survival; therefore, even if we change the genetics of the corals, it may not be the solution, as we know these microorganisms also contribute to coral tolerance. We consequently need to understand the holobiont“ biology” of the coral”.

Many hands make light work!

Working on these corals can be extremely challenging. Mangroves are known to be home to many deadly jellyfish and crocodiles. Additionally, these areas are hot, humid, and mosquito-infested, making operations a nightmare.

It is more challenging to change public perception and make them party to the conservation efforts, as ‘many hands make light work.’ To realize this, over the years, Emma and her team have developed a science-tourism and traditional owner partnership called the Coral Nurture Program.

As part of this program, the tourist operators support scientific studies to advance knowledge on coral restoration methods. They are trained and equipped to collect fragments of corals, bring them to nurseries for culture, and replant them in the oceans. In fact, it has been observed that corals nurtured in the nurseries grow fast because, unlike in natural conditions, there is no competition and plenty of resources at their disposal.

“It's the first of its own kind of program in the Great Barrier Reef, where science and tourism are working in partnership to try and rehabilitate high-value ecological and economic sites on the Great Barrier,” says Emma.

A recent study from her lab assessed the cost of this program, as economic sustainability is one of the major deciding factors to keep these programs running. Analysis shows that the early-stage cost of this restoration is USD 33.04 to 178.55 per surviving coral. With the successful plantation of 112,921 corals, this program is an immense success. Such programs not only make communities part of the research and conservation efforts but also sensitize them to critical issues and inspire other people to contribute too.

Emma conducting a heat stress experiment to test how tolerant the mangrove corals are to thermal stress on the Great Barrier Reef.

“I want to play my part in conserving reefs, ensuring my son has the opportunity to experience reefs, and his children and future generations have the privilege that we had to go and see these systems and benefit from the services they provide,” stresses Emma.

Apart from academic pursuits, she is a strong advocate of increasing participation of women in STEM fields, for which she was recognized by the Australian Academy of Sciences STEM Women’s Changemaker. Her work is celebrated and was featured in Time Magazine's Next Generation Leaders list 2020.