According to marine biologists and Dr. Ruth Gates from Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology, good bacteria could be the key element of an ecosystem, which is vital for keep the coral healthy. This knowledge is able to withstand the impacts of global warming and to secure the long-term survival of reefs on the oceans.
Scientists from two universities (the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University and Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Hawai’i) revealed the special kind of bacteria, which has a great positive influence on the coral reef’s health. According to the results of research, led by Dr. Tracy Ainsworth:
“Healthy corals interact with complex communities of beneficial microbes or ‘good bacteria’. It is very likely that these microorganisms play a pivotal role in the capacity of coral to recover from bouts of bleaching caused by rising temperatures.”
Dr. Ainsworth and Dr. Gates have found new ways for research and better understanding coral survival. Reef environment is rapidly changing, and global warming influences too, so marine biologists now know that lasting changes to the community of beneficial bacteria affect important aspects of the function of host organisms such as humans or corals.
The journal Science published the results of joint research work of Universities of Hawai’i and James Cook. Their overview stresses the vital importance of good bacteria to coral health.
