Written By Freya Matza with Images Courtesy of Louis Matza<\/p>\n
Hi there, I\u2019m Freya\u2014a high school junior, lifelong nature lover, and proud OneNature intern. Over the past several months, I\u2019ve immersed myself in researching how corals contribute to our well-being and have supported OneNature\u2019s social media initiatives. Growing up in a family of scuba divers, I\u2019ve been fortunate to travel to coral reefs in Southeast Asia, the Bahamas, and the South Pacific, igniting a passion for saltwater ecosystems. The ocean is my home, and corals are the architects of its beauty and biodiversity.<\/p>\n
This past summer, my family\u2019s love for the ocean brought us to the Philippines, a vibrant country situated in the heart of the Coral Triangle<\/a>. Renowned for its marine biodiversity, the Philippines\u2019 reefs host some of the most spectacular ocean life imaginable. However, like reefs worldwide, these ecosystems are at risk due to warming oceans and human impact.<\/p>\n During our time on Negros Island in Dauin<\/a>, we volunteered with the Institute of Marine Research (IMR)<\/strong><\/a>, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting 19 coral reefs in the area. Their innovative coral planting initiative is vital to reef restoration. Together, we collected coral fragments that had broken off naturally, attaching them to steel structures designed to help them grow and reproduce. This hands-on conservation effort left me inspired and hopeful for the future of coral reefs.<\/p>\n Coral reefs thrive in what can seem like an uninhabitable ocean, a phenomenon often referred to as Darwin\u2019s Paradox<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. Their survival hinges on a remarkable symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae. These algae photosynthesize and provide corals with sugars, while corals create a habitat that supports a thriving ecosystem.<\/p>\n Reefs are a hub of biodiversity:<\/p>\n While reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, they support 25% of marine species.<\/a><\/p>\n Coral reefs are critical not only for marine life but also for human communities:<\/p>\n If current warming trends persist, we could lose coral reefs altogether, with just 5% of historic coral cover<\/strong> remaining. This loss would devastate ecosystems, economies, and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n The good news? There are actionable steps we can all take to help:<\/p>\n Small, mindful changes can collectively make a big impact on preserving coral reefs for future generations.<\/p>\n Curious about coral reefs and their remarkable biology? Here are two great resources to dive into:<\/p>\n
\nDarwin\u2019s Paradox: Coral\u2019s Resilience in a Harsh Ocean Environment<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nWhy Coral Reefs Matter to All of Us<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nThe Urgency of Conservation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nLearn More<\/strong><\/h3>\n