Storm Ridden Coral System Restored by a Radical 10-Year Restoration Project
By Rain Jordan May 05, 2021 12:23 AM EDT
The country's majestic corals were destroyed when Hurricane Iris struck southern Belize in 2001. Fortunately, the coral reef was brought back to life after a ten-year restoration project.
Hurricane Iris destroyed the Laughing Bird Caye National Park off the coast of Belize in 2001. Corals were crushed into rubble when the caye broke in two. Before the hurricane, the reef was teeming with rays, corals, lobsters, crabs, sponges, and sea turtles.
Corals are stripped of the algae that make up their bond with the coral polyps during bleaching events. Few corals survive when their algae recover but often die when their algae are taken away. The world's second-longest coral is found inside the world's second-longest barrier reef.
Hurricane Iris was a disaster. It did not only destroy corals, but it also uprooted their structure, making recovery much more difficult.
More:
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/45924/20210505/storm-ridden-coral-system-restored-by-a-radical-10-year-restoration-project.htm
Also posted in Environment and energy:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127144820