NUNZIUM

In an era where artificial intelligence and robotics intersect with marine biology, new and innovative methods are being developed to save the planet's coral reefs. Taryn Foster, a marine biologist working 40 miles off the coast of Western Australia in the Abrolhos Islands, is at the forefront of this critical work. Despite occupying only 0.2% of the seafloor, coral reefs are home to over 25% of marine species, underscoring their vital role in maintaining global biodiversity.

However, these underwater rainforests are under severe threat. According to the Global Coral Reel Monitoring Network, a mere 1.5C increase in water temperature could decimate between 70% and 90% of the world’s reefs by 2070. Cathie Page from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) reaffirms that climate change poses the most significant risk to these vibrant ecosystems.

Traditional coral restoration methods, involving the transplantation of small, nursery-cultivated corals onto damaged reefs, have proven slow, expensive, and insufficient. Foster is pioneering a new technique that involves grafting coral fragments into small plugs, which are then inserted into a moulded base and placed on the seabed in batches. This method is being advanced by Foster's start-up, Coral Maker, in collaboration with San Francisco-based engineering software firm Autodesk.

Autodesk researchers are training artificial intelligence to operate collaborative robots, or cobots, to automate coral propagation. The aim is to deploy these cobots from the lab to the seabed within the next 12-18 months. The anticipated funding for this state-of-the-art technology is expected to be sourced from the tourism industry and through the issuance of biodiversity credits, akin to carbon credits.

The restoration of coral reefs, however, requires a multi-pronged approach. Other strategies being investigated include coral seeding for larger-scale restoration and the cultivation of more resilient "super coral". AIMS is also spearheading a project called Reef Song, which plays healthy reef sounds on damaged reefs through underwater loudspeakers, attracting fish and enhancing reef recovery.

Coral reefs, formed by corals extracting calcium carbonate from the sea to create sturdy outer shells, are under significant threat. The restoration and preservation of these reefs demand substantial investment in time, effort, and funding. As Page from AIMS highlights, there is no single solution to the intricate ecological issue of coral reef degradation.

In this challenging landscape, the groundbreaking work of scientists like Foster is crucial. Their creative approaches to coral restoration, from grafting coral fragments to training AI-controlled robots, offer the best chance for preserving the world's coral reefs. The race is on to preserve these vital ecosystems, and the ultimate prize is a future where coral reefs continue to flourish, providing a habitat for a quarter of our marine species and preserving the beauty and diversity of our oceans.