coral reefs

Maintenance workers on the reef. Cocoon preparation. Credit: Renal Pickholz

Not just beautiful: the atolls—the reef engineers that produce sand and save coral

Parrotfish are herbivores that grind down algae and stone, contribute up to ~70% of the sand on tropical beaches, maintain reefs—and also exhibit unique behaviors such as a mucous “sleeping bag” and early storm prediction.
Coral bleaching in the Seychelles. The collapse of the reefs is reaching frightening numbers. Illustration: depositphotos.com

New reality: Report states that the world has crossed the first climate tipping point

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International report warns that warm-water coral reefs are collapsing and that we are close to the collapse of the Amazon, ice sheets and ocean currents – and calls on COP30 leaders to act immediately
Coral reef | Credit: Maoz Fine

Corals in the Gulf of Eilat withstood an unprecedented marine heat wave and remained stable

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International study led by researchers from the Hebrew University reveals that Eilat corals survived four years of heat waves, including 30 DHW in the summer of 2024 – the highest in the world; spot bleaching observed for the first time in shallow waters
Global warming is causing stony corals, which already live at the edge of their suitable temperature range, to exceed their tolerance threshold. Corals in Eilat. Photo: Tom Schlesinger

Stony Corals: Reef Builders and Guardians of the Underwater World

Dr. Tom Schlesinger explains how tiny, fragile creatures create vast ecosystems, why they are sensitive to the climate crisis, and how childhood in Eilat led him to explore one of the great secrets of the sea.
An Israeli nonprofit called Deep Voice helps researchers and conservation organizations around the world protect marine mammals. Photo: Aviel Shaul

With the help of voice: artificial intelligence for whales

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Israeli NGO Deep Voice develops acoustic models to identify marine mammal sounds; WILDLABS grant will enable online platform for conservation and restoration of at-risk populations
The top of the clam transmits up to 60 percent of the light needed by the algae, while the bottom transmits only about a quarter of the light needed. Top row: Clams of the genus Corculum, Bottom row: Clams illuminated from the inside | From McCoy et al, 2024

The oysters that light the way

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The 'gardeners' of the reef. Four healthy sea urchin species on Reunion Island (Photo: Jean-Pascal Quod)

The Gardeners of the Sea Are Disappearing: Are Coral Reefs Facing Collapse?

The deadly parasite that destroyed sea urchins in Eilat has also spread to the Indian Ocean
A whole and shining sea lily. The green color marks the location where there is enrichment for stem cells. Photo: Shani Talisa

A unique method from the world of medicine will save the corals from bleaching due to the climate crisis

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The researchers from the Laboratory of Comparative Immunology at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev decided to develop the ability to transplant stem cells between corals, just like bone marrow transplants in humans
The sea urchin Diadema setosum before (left) and after (right) mortality. The white skeleton is exposed after the tissue is loosened and the spines fall off

The global sea urchin population is in real danger for its continued existence

The plague that destroyed the sea urchins in Eilat has spread to the Indian Ocean and threatens to destroy sea urchin populations all over the world
A diverse coral reef off the coast of Sinai. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The preservation of genetic diversity increases the chance of preserving the survival of corals in various extreme conditions

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Coral reef in the Red Sea. Image: depositphotos.com

What will be the lifeline of the coral reefs in the deep and shallow waters?

A new study estimates that there is little basis for the hope that coral reefs at great depth will help the survival of corals in shallow waters
Detachment of corals from waste items in the Red Sea. Photo: Omari Ozami, Nature and Parks Authority

The corals are crying out - we must take the pressure off the Red Sea

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The Ministry of Environmental Protection publishes the national monitoring report of the Gulf of Eilat for the year 2020, carried out by the Inter-University Institute in Eilat * The sea surface temperature rose, enormous damage was caused to the reef in the great storm
The coral reef in the Gulf of Eilat. Photo: Prof. Maoz Payne, Bar Ilan University

Scientists call on UNESCO: preserve the coral reefs in the Red Sea, declare it a world heritage site

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The Great Barrier Reef in Australia. is in danger of bleaching. Photo: yanguang lan.

Whitens and disappears

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Photo: Dr. Jenny Tinakov.

Artificial diving sites in Eilat reduce the damage to the natural coral reefs

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The artificial coral reef "Tamar". Photo: Keren Levy. Courtesy of Ben Gurion University spokespersons.

Artificial reefs reduce diver damage from natural coral reefs

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The coral reef in Eilat. Photo: Daviddarom / Wikimedia.

Who will save the corals at Katsa beach?

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A coral reef and the fish that live near it in the Red Sea, off the coast of Egypt. Photo: shutterstock

The habitat of the fish is more important than the environment in which it is found

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A coral reef damaged by global warming and toxins. Photo: shutterstock

A team of researchers from the USA and Israel: a chemical found in many cosmetic products endangers coral reefs

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Silent prayer - one of the underwater sculptures installed in the coral reef in Cancun. Photo: shutterstock

The art of diversion / Eric Vance

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One of four different (virtual) conservation statuses presented to the respondents refers to the artificial reef "Tamar Reef" that was established in cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority and the divers visited it shortly before answering the questionnaire. Photographer: Omer Polak, University of Haifa

A new study examined whether ecological principles in nature are understood by the general public?

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The planned route of the bridge from Sinai to Saudi Arabia. Photo: Green Prophet website

Egyptian environmental activists are fighting a plan to build a bridge from Sinai to Saudi Arabia

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