Hope for the world’s coral reefs courtesy of the UAE

▶ NYU Abi Dhabi’s research in waters off the Emirates is of global significance

We all know that climate change is taking a toll on the health of the coral reefs. What many of us don’t realise is the gravity of the situation. A study published recently in the journal Nature Scientific Reports indicates that coral bleaching – a process that sometimes precedes death where corals lose their colour – will affect 99 per cent of reefs each year by the end of the century if current climate change trends continue. It’s worrying, because coral reefs are crucial to ensuring marine well-being and their health is paramount in maintaining the chain of vitality that energises oceans. Luckily, it may not be all doom and gloom for coral thanks to the initiative of NYU Abu Dhabi.

As The National reported on Friday, researchers from the university are looking for clues that could one day help coral reefs around the world to survive the onslaught of global warming, underscoring the importance of having worldclass research institutions here.

As part of their study, they have performed DNA analysis on coral collected from reefs in the Arabian Gulf near Abu Dhabi and from sites in the slightly cooler Gulf of Oman around Fujairah and Muscat. The purpose is to map out the genome of coral reefs in the region and study what gives them the ability to withstand the salinity and harsh conditions that would harm other reefs. The results will help scientists to better understand the super-gene that makes them tolerant to high temperatures and determine if coral reefs around the world have a better chance of coping with global warming.

Scientists have previously explored coral’s adaptive response to thermal stress. But the current research might eventually lead to remedies against the impact of climate change on coral. This is just one example of how local research can contribute to solving some of the pressing global problems.