Resilient R.I. state coral could play role in saving coral reefs amid climate change – The Boston Globe

Report on Genetic Research of Astrangia poculata and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

A recent scientific breakthrough at Roger Williams University involving the northern star coral, Astrangia poculata, presents a significant advancement in marine biology with direct applications for achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Advancements in Coral Genetic Engineering for Climate Action (SDG 13)

Research led by Professor Koty Sharp has pioneered a novel genetic manipulation tool for corals. This development is a critical step in building resilience within marine ecosystems against the escalating impacts of climate change.

A First-of-its-Kind Genetic Tool

The primary innovation is the successful insertion of a new gene into the coral’s genome. This capability surpasses previous methods, which were limited to gene removal (“knock out”). This technological leap provides a potential mechanism to enhance coral resilience.

Potential Applications for Climate Resilience

The research aims to address the global threat of coral bleaching, a direct consequence of rising ocean temperatures as highlighted by SDG 13. The potential applications include:

• Conferring genes that increase resistance to thermal stress.
• Enhancing the stability of the crucial symbiotic relationship between corals and algae.
• Providing a powerful tool for scientific studies to better understand the biological mechanisms of coral survival.

Conserving Marine Ecosystems and Economies (SDG 14 & SDG 8)

The research directly addresses the urgent need to conserve marine biodiversity and the economic systems that depend on it, aligning with SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

The Global Coral Reef Crisis

The degradation of coral reefs poses a severe threat to planetary health. Key factors include:

1. Coral Bleaching: Rising sea temperatures cause corals to expel the symbiotic algae essential for their survival, leading to starvation and death.
2. Biodiversity Loss: Although reefs cover less than 0.2% of the ocean floor, they support over 25% of all marine fish species. Their collapse would trigger a catastrophic loss of biodiversity, undermining SDG 14.
3. Economic Impact: Healthy marine ecosystems are foundational to global economies, supporting industries like tourism and fishing. The decline of coral reefs threatens livelihoods and economic stability, conflicting with the objectives of SDG 8.

Innovation and Future Research Pathways (SDG 9)

The project embodies the principles of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by advancing scientific research and developing innovative solutions to global challenges. The unique characteristics of the northern star coral offer further avenues for study.

Studying Natural Resilience

The northern star coral’s ability to enter dormancy during cold winters and subsequently recover presents a natural model for resilience. Researchers are studying its microbiome, which shifts from a state resembling a diseased coral to that of a healthy one during its recovery period. Understanding this process could yield non-genetic strategies to help other coral species recover from disturbances.

Challenges and Scientific Responsibility

While the sense of urgency is high, the scientific community is proceeding with caution to fully understand the long-term implications of applying genetic modification technologies in marine environments. Current research challenges include inducing coral larvae to settle and grow in laboratory settings, a crucial step for scaling up restoration efforts. This methodical and responsible approach to innovation is essential for sustainable and effective long-term solutions.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article discusses issues related to marine biology, climate change, scientific innovation, and economic impacts, which connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs addressed are:

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article directly addresses the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. It explicitly states that “climate change has resulted in coral bleaching” due to “warming waters,” and the research aims to help corals “better withstanding the effects of climate change.”
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: This is the most central SDG to the article. The entire focus is on the health of corals (“northern star coral”), the protection of marine ecosystems (coral reefs), and the biodiversity they support. The article highlights the “coral reef crisis” and the importance of these ecosystems, which “support more than 25 percent of the fish on the planet.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article showcases scientific innovation as a solution to environmental problems. The research team “pioneered a first-of-its-kind genetic manipulation tool” and is focused on developing “technology and potential capacity to deliver particular capabilities to corals.” This aligns with the goal of enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article connects the health of marine ecosystems to economic stability. It states that “healthy marine ecosystems are crucial for boating, tourism, and the economy” and warns that when “we shut down coral reefs, ecologically we’re shutting down huge sectors of the economy on a global scale.”

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

Based on the article’s discussion of scientific research to protect corals from climate change, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards. The research’s primary goal is to make corals more resilient to climate change. The article mentions developing a tool to “confer the ability to resist higher temperatures and be resilient to warming in some way.”
2. Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration. The research is a direct action aimed at protecting coral reefs by strengthening their resilience against bleaching and learning how to “help other corals become more resilient and recover from disturbance.”
3. Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology… in order to improve ocean health. The development of a “first-of-its-kind genetic manipulation tool” is a clear example of increasing scientific knowledge and developing research capacity to address the “coral reef crisis.”
4. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities… encouraging innovation. The work described in the article, particularly pioneering a new genetic tool and “enabling more scientific studies,” directly contributes to this target by advancing scientific research and innovation to solve a global problem.
5. Target 8.9: Devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism. While not a direct focus, the article supports this target by highlighting the economic dependency of the tourism sector on healthy coral reefs. Protecting these ecosystems is a prerequisite for sustainable marine tourism.

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

The article implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 14.2 (Health of Marine Ecosystems): The article implies that the incidence of “coral bleaching” is a key negative indicator. Conversely, a positive indicator would be the measured ability of corals to “recover from disturbance,” as observed in the northern star coral’s annual cycle. The percentage of coral reef area that is healthy versus bleached would be a direct measure.
• Indicator for Target 13.1 (Resilience): The primary indicator mentioned is the ability of corals to “resist higher temperatures.” Progress could be measured in a laboratory setting by tracking the survival rates of genetically modified corals under simulated warming conditions compared to unmodified corals.
• Indicator for Targets 14.a and 9.5 (Scientific Innovation): A direct indicator is the development and successful application of new technologies, such as the “genetic manipulation tool” itself. The number of new scientific studies or research projects enabled by this tool would be another measure of its impact on enhancing research capacity.
• Indicator for Biodiversity (related to SDG 14): The article states that coral reefs “support more than 25 percent of the fish on the planet.” Therefore, the diversity and abundance of fish populations in and around coral reefs serve as an implied indicator of the ecosystem’s health and its ability to function as a “center of biodiversity.”
• Indicator for Target 8.9 (Economic Impact): The article links reef health to “boating, tourism, and the economy.” An implied indicator would be the economic revenue generated from marine-based tourism and fisheries in regions with coral reefs. A decline in this revenue could indicate a decline in ecosystem health.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bostonglobe.com