Philippines pioneers coral larvae cryobank to protect threatened reefs, PgII

Key Highlights:

• The Philippines is set to host Southeast Asia’s first coral larvae cryobank to protect and restore threatened coral reefs.
• The cryobank will freeze and preserve coral larvae at extremely low temperatures for future reef revival and research.
• This initiative is part of a regional network linking research institutions in the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
• Scientists warn that 70-90% of live coral cover could be lost by 2050 if global warming is not limited to 1.5º C.

Detailed Insights:

• The Coral Triangle, a 5.7 million sq. km area, is the richest marine ecosystem, supporting over 120 million people, but faces threats from carbon emissions, pollution, and climate change.
• The cryopreservation process involves vitrification, where coral larvae are rapidly frozen in liquid nitrogen at –196º C to prevent ice crystal formation.
• Reviving the coral larvae involves a swift thawing method using lasers, followed by gradual rehydration in seawater to check for signs of life before transferring to tanks.
• Cryobanks also preserve coral symbionts (microscopic algae) crucial for reef survival; however, cryopreserving many coral species is challenging due to the nature of their larvae.
• The project emphasizes the need for active participation of local communities, who depend on reefs for their livelihoods, in conservation efforts to combat tourism, waste discharge, and destructive fishing.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Cryopreservation: Preserving biological material by cooling to very low temperatures.
• Vitrification: Rapid freezing that turns a substance into a glass-like state, preventing ice crystal formation.
• Coral Larvae: The free-swimming early life stage of corals, used for reef restoration.