Discover stories in Coral Reefs
The Effectiveness, Costs and Coastal Protection Benefits of Natural and Nature-Based Defenses
A global synthesis of field measurements shows that coastal habitats – particularly coral reefs and mangroves, can be physically and economically effective at protecting coastlines.
Wiring Up the Caribbean: Designing Marine Protected Areas for Coral Reef Connectivity
New research shows how conservationists can better incorporate coral reef connectivity into marine protected areas.
Can Traditional Agriculture Restore the Reef?
Ninety percent of the land was covered with invasive weeds. But that degraded land could hold the key to restoring the reef on the island of Oʻahu. Just add agriculture.
Infrared Technology for Wildlife Conservation
Infrared enables us to see minor variations in temperature, even from a distance or at night. See how this technology is revolutionizing conservation science.
From Theory to Practice: Managing Coral Reefs for Resilience
Scientists and reef managers agree: the key to successful reef management is resilience. But how do you manage for resilient corals? It was hard to know. Until now.
Innovation: Drone Mapping of Coral Reefs and the Coastal Zone
Join the Conservancy's Steve Schill and an enterprising student in northern Haiti as they use an amphibious drone to monitor marine habitats -- above and below water.
Coasts at Risk Report Expands Thinking on Natural Hazards
Nature has an important role in preparing for, and recovering from, natural disasters on coasts around the world. A new report substantiates the link.
The Klepto-Octopus and Other Adventures in Coral Reef Restoration
A thieving octopus? Dolphin volunteers? Welcome to the unexpected cast of characters encountered during coral reef restoration.
New Study: Coastal Nature Reduces Risk from Storm Impacts for 1.3 Million U.S. Residents
Nature reduces risk from coastal storms for millions of U.S. residents and billions of dollars in property values, says a new study from scientists at the Natural Capital Project and The Nature Conservancy.
Oceans and Climate Change: Protecting the “Invisible”
Coral bleaching, increasing storms, the loss of polar bears: many impacts of climate change are already vivid in our minds. We naturally worry about the things we can see. Huge waves and the loss of big fish and colorful corals get our attention. But what about things we can’t see, like the tiny creatures called plankton? They are also poised for dramatic changes. A recent dive in the sapphire waters of the Caribbean offers a close encounter with plankton. While most of my dive buddies hurry to reach the bottom, I linger as I usually do, pondering the “blue” and looking out for the visible and the invisible. Suddenly, clouds of tiny filaments come sharply into focus. It’s blue-green algae--Trichodesmium--a type of phytoplankton that plays an important role in these nutrient-poor waters. They essentially break gaseous nitrogen’s tough triple bond and convert it into a form other phytoplankton can feed on. What would these waters look like without them?
