Corals Are Teaching Us About Climate Change

Corals are essential for survival of thousands of ocean species and one of the most beautiful ecosystems in our oceans. We are learning how the climate is affecting corals by looking at the skeletons that are formed from calcium carbonate. As the temperature changes, the skeletons form a different density than those formed in the colder seasons. Corals have rings, similar to that of trees, which can determine the season coral skeletons are formed. This can help us predict "trends" in our oceans during the ever-changing climate.

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Photo credit: NOAA