Protecting Endangered Reefs

In an effort to better understand at-risk coral reefs and help support and preserve them, ecologist Forest Rohwer and doctoral candidate Jason Baer have launched structures called Coral Arks that act like floating zoos into the ocean. The aim of the Arks is to create miniature coral reefs suspended off the seafloor, providing improved conditions for corals and all the other organisms that help keep them healthy. Eventually, the team hopes to use what they learn from these Arks to create Reef Ark Parks to house, protect and propagate global coral reef biodiversity.