How algae help corals bounce back after bleaching – University of California, Riverside

Report on a Research Initiative to Enhance Coral Reef Resilience in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

In response to widespread coral bleaching events driven by climate change-induced heat stress, a $1.1 million research project has been initiated by scientists at the University of California, Riverside. This three-year initiative, funded by the National Science Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, directly addresses the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) by seeking to protect and restore marine ecosystems. The project’s focus on building resilience against the effects of ocean warming also aligns with the objectives of SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The research aims to understand the fundamental process by which corals recover their symbiotic algae after a bleaching event, a critical mechanism for survival. The loss of these algae leads to coral starvation and death, threatening the viability of reef ecosystems which support approximately 25% of all marine species.

Project Objectives and Contribution to SDG 9 (Innovation)

The project’s core objectives are centered on scientific innovation to create actionable conservation strategies, contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The primary goals include:

• To investigate the cellular-level mechanisms that govern the reestablishment of the coral-algal symbiotic relationship post-bleaching.
• To translate fundamental scientific discoveries into practical tools and restoration strategies that can be deployed to assist reef recovery.
• To develop new technologies that can actively support the natural recovery processes of compromised corals.

Methodological Approach

A multi-disciplinary approach will be employed to achieve the project’s objectives, integrating advanced technologies and collaborative expertise:

1. Advanced Imaging Systems: High-powered microscopy will be used to observe the return of algae to a host organism in real-time. A sea anemone model system will serve as a proxy for corals in these living experiments.
2. Computational Modeling: Mathematical models will be developed to simulate algal population growth within the host coral tissue, providing predictive insights into recovery dynamics.
3. Genetic and Cellular Analysis: Researchers will identify the specific genes and cellular pathways that regulate the reestablishment of algae, offering targets for future intervention strategies.
4. Applied Environmental Engineering: In collaboration with engineering experts, the team will develop a system designed to help compromised corals recover from bleaching more efficiently, turning laboratory findings into a tangible solution.

Broader Impacts on Sustainable Development

The outcomes of this research are expected to have significant impacts on several Sustainable Development Goals beyond marine conservation:

• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): By developing methods to enhance coral survival, the project directly supports the conservation of marine biodiversity and the restoration of coastal ecosystems.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Protecting coral reefs helps safeguard a global economic asset valued at nearly $10 trillion, sustaining economies and livelihoods dependent on tourism and fishing.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The initiative focuses on strengthening the resilience of marine ecosystems to the impacts of climate change, a key target of global climate action.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The project is an example of a successful partnership between multiple academic disciplines (bioengineering, mathematics, chemical engineering) and funding organizations to address a complex global challenge.

Conclusion

This research project represents a critical effort to advance fundamental knowledge of coral biology while simultaneously developing practical tools to support reef resilience. By elucidating the mechanisms of recovery from bleaching, the initiative aims to provide new strategies to help vital marine ecosystems withstand ongoing climate pressures. The project’s findings are poised to make a substantial contribution to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly for the goals related to ocean health, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the most central SDG addressed. The article focuses entirely on the health of coral reefs, a critical marine ecosystem. It discusses the threat of coral bleaching, the loss of marine biodiversity (reefs support 25% of marine species), and a scientific project aimed at understanding and restoring these ecosystems.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article directly links coral bleaching to “heat stress” and “ocean warming,” which are consequences of climate change. The research project’s goal to help reefs “withstand bleaching events” is a direct response to a climate-related hazard, focusing on adaptation and resilience.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article highlights the economic importance of coral reefs, stating they “sustain economies reliant on tourism and fishing” and have a global economic value of nearly “$10 trillion.” The degradation of these reefs threatens jobs and economic stability in communities that depend on them.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The project described is a collaborative effort. It is funded by multiple organizations (the National Science Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation) and involves interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists (bioengineering, math, chemical and environmental engineering) to tackle a complex environmental problem.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.”

  The project’s entire purpose is to understand how corals recover and to develop “future restoration strategies that boost this natural process,” which directly aligns with strengthening resilience and taking action for restoration.

• Target 14.a: “Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology… in order to improve ocean health…”

  The $1.1 million research project is explicitly designed to “advance fundamental knowledge” and build “new tools that can actively support coral recovery,” which is a clear example of increasing scientific knowledge and developing marine technology to improve ocean health.

• Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.”

  Coral bleaching is identified as a climate-related hazard caused by ocean warming. The research aims to find ways to “help reefs better withstand bleaching events,” which is a direct effort to strengthen the resilience and adaptive capacity of these ecosystems.

• Target 8.9: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs…”

  While not discussing policy implementation, the article establishes the premise for this target by noting that reefs “sustain economies reliant on tourism and fishing.” Protecting reefs, as this project aims to do, is a foundational step for ensuring the long-term sustainability of reef-based tourism.

• Target 17.7: “Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies…”

  The project includes an “applied component aimed at translating discoveries into practical tools” and developing a “system that could one day help compromised corals recover from bleaching more efficiently.” This is a direct effort to develop and apply an environmentally sound technology for ecosystem restoration.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Percentage of live coral cover: The article explicitly states that “the world lost an estimated 14% of live coral cover between 2009 and 2018.” This metric is a direct indicator of the health of marine ecosystems (Target 14.2).
• Frequency and extent of mass coral bleaching events: The article mentions that the “current bleaching episode is the fourth global event on record — and the most extensive to date.” Tracking this serves as an indicator of the increasing impact of climate-related hazards (Target 13.1).
• Rate of algal reestablishment in bleached corals: The project’s focus is to “uncover how reefs regain life-giving algae.” Measuring the speed and success rate of this recovery process is a key indicator of coral resilience and the effectiveness of restoration efforts (Target 14.2).
• Economic value derived from reef-based tourism and fishing: The article implies this indicator by stating reefs “sustain economies reliant on tourism and fishing” and have a global economic value of nearly “$10 trillion.” A decline in this value would indicate a failure to protect the resource base for sustainable tourism (Target 8.9).
• Amount of funding for marine science and conservation: The article mentions the project is funded with “$1.1 million.” This figure represents an investment in scientific knowledge and technology development (Target 14.a).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: news.ucr.edu