As Earth’s temperature climbs, the stony corals that form the backbone of ocean reefs are in decline. It’s a well-documented story: Violent storms and coral bleaching have all contributed to dwindling populations, and increasing acidity of seawater threatens to take an additional toll. Less discussed, however, is the plight of gorgonian corals — softer, flexible, tree-like species that can rise up like an underwater forest, providing a canopy beneath which small fish and aquatic life of all kinds can thrive. ![1378820954219 Gorgonian Proliferation and the Future of Coral Reefs]( "Gorgonian Proliferation and the Future of Coral Reefs")
Divers have noted in recent years that gorgonian corals seem to be proliferating in certain areas of the Caribbean, even as their stony counterparts struggle. Now, a new study will look to quantify this phenomenon. Scientists from the California State University, Northridge and University at Buffalo will examine 27 years of photographs from reefs off the Caribbean island of St. John to determine how gorgonian numbers have changed, and run field experiments to see how competition with stony corals — or a lack of it — influences gorgonian growth. Read more here!
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