Quiñones, L. (2022, June 27). Exploring the largest ocean reef restoration project in the Americas: ‘one million corals for Colombia’. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1121292
On San Martin de Pajares Island, Marine Biologist Elvira Alvarado teaches youth volunteers how to plant fragments of coral as a part of the coral reef restoration project: “One Million Corals for Columbia”. With the goal of planting one million fragments of coral, and restoring 200 hectares of reefs by 2023, this project has lots of pressure, and little time. Extinction of various species of coral is largely caused by disease, predation, climate change, sedimentation from pollution, etc. Through studies of coral reproduction and experimenting with different ways to repopulate coral species, Ms. Alvarado aims to restore the beauty of coral reefs. She has set up a bay coral nursery and uses a technique called Micro Fragmentation to grow and plant new corals throughout Columbia.
This article is inspiring, as it shows how far a genuine passion can take you. Ms. Alvarado made her dream come true through endless effort and research. It reveals that with a goal and a desire for change, youth all over the world can produce changes and help our environment. With her project, more youth were able to understand the importance of what the ocean provides for all of society, and how we can support and help keep our oceans healthy. I think the technique they used to grow new corals should be used more often, as the results prove its efficiency. Since they used eco friendly and recycled materials to build the nurseries, this project can continue to thrive with future generations, supporting the Columbian ocean for decades. Revival of coral reefs brings more fish, leading to more food availability and resurgence human activities in that area. Corals also bring protection from natural floods and storms, as well as various medicines to help with human health. Overall, the revival of coral reefs benefits the ecosystem and humans.
I completely agree, Thea. It’s inspiring to hear about projects like this. I wasn’t aware of this process of fragmentation to restore coral. Assuming it works, I would have to think it work in areas beyond Columbia. Did the article mention if they have had success with the coral growing, considering that a lot of those pressures you mentioned (ie. climate) still remain?
This is a well written post, Thea.
Thanks for reading! The article mentions the success of growing coral despite the pressures mentioned, and that after a year of fusion, the coral grows into a colony which can then be transplanted into the ocean. However, it takes about “1 to 1.5 years to grow enough to be transplanted into the larger reefs”. The growth process is most likely stunted by these environmental pressures.