News: Scientists at the University of the Philippines are establishing the nation’s first cryobank to conserve coral genetic material and aid in reef restoration.
About the Coral Larvae Cryobank Project
- Coral Larvae Cryobank is set up by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute.
- The project is part of a wider regional initiative that links research institutions in the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to create a network of cryobanks across the Coral Triangle.
- Aim: To strengthen resilience and secure the Coral Triangle’s reefs for future.
- The project focusses on freezing and preserving coral larvae, which can later be used to revive damaged reefs or for research. This will protect genetic diversity that might otherwise be lost.
- The initial focus is on pocilloporid corals which is known for their rapid growth and important role in reef recovery, but vulnerable to climate stress.
- Process of cryopreservation:
- Vitrification: Coral larvae are preserved safely using a method called vitrification, which protects their delicate cells.
- The larvae are first treated with special protective solutions and then rapidly frozen in liquid nitrogen at –196°C, turning them into a glass-like state that prevents ice crystals from forming.
- To bring them back to life, scientists thaw the larvae very quickly using lasers, avoiding damage from ice formation.
- After thawing, the larvae are gradually placed in seawater, checked for signs of life like swimming and settling, and then moved to tanks to grow.
- This technique allows coral genetic material to be stored for years and later used to help restore damaged reefs.
- Challenges to Cryopreserving: Cryopreserving many coral species is challenging as their larvae and reproductive cells are large, lipid-rich, sensitive to cold, and often contain algae that block cryoprotectants.
About Coral Triangle
- Location: The Coral Triangle spans 5.7 million sq. km covering six countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.
- It is located between the Pacific and Indian oceans.
- Biodiversity: It is often referred to as the “Amazon of the seas.”
- It holds the highest marine biodiversity in the world including around 76% of all known coral species and over 2,000 species of reef fish.
- Marine Ecosystems: It encompasses critical ecosystems like coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, supporting a vast array of marine life, including turtles, sharks, and various fish species.
- Ecological Importance: The Coral Triangle is crucial for maintaining global marine biodiversity and resilience, playing a vital role in marine and coastal ecosystems.
- Human Dependency: Over 120 million people live in the Coral Triangle area, depending on its resources for food, livelihood, and economic activities, particularly through fishing and tourism.
- Threats: Faces significant threats from overfishing, climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction, particularly coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures.
Note: According to the Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2020 report, the planet lost 14% of its corals between 2009 and 2018.
