Coral reef species face extinction risks amid ocean warming

A study published in Nature indicates that over 40% of reef-building coral species face varying risks of extinction. Approximately 340 species are currently classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. These ecosystems are highly sensitive to ocean warming and acidification, with families such as Acroporidae being particularly at risk. While coral reefs occupy a small fraction of the ocean, they support roughly one-quarter of all marine species and provide essential food resources for 500 million people globally.

In response to these environmental challenges, a design team from National Taiwan Normal University has developed Reefvive, a project aimed at reef restoration. A finalist in the James Dyson Award, the initiative uses 3D printing to create artificial reef modules. The process utilizes marine waste, specifically crushed oyster shells and coral debris, to manufacture supports designed to host new coral fragments. The modules are modeled after brain coral patterns to provide structural stability and habitats for fish.