Taiwan's National Dong Hwa University/National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium secures a major research grant for coral conservation.
Taiwan's National Dong Hwa University/National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium has been awarded a prestigious research grant of USD $954,866 from the Coral Accelerator Program (CAP) under the Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP), a G20-backed initiative seeks to accelerate research and development efforts to protect the world’s coral reefs.
Coral reefs globally are facing unprecedented threat due to climate change, experiencing damage from rising sea temperatures, severe storms, and human activities such as pollution, coastal development, and overfishing. These factors have dramatically reduced coral populations, with more than half of the world’s reefs already affected. In response, scientists are turning to cryopreservation—a cutting-edge technique that preserves biological material by cooling it to sub-zero temperatures. The material remains dormant but viable, ready to be utilized when needed. This project will extend current cryopreservation efforts by creating a network of cryorepositories in the coral triangle, one of the most biologically diverse marine regions on the planet. The focus will be on preserving larvae from key coral species vital to the region’s ecosystem.
This groundbreaking initiative will establish the coral triangle's first-ever cryorepository network for coral larvae, including facilities in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The team will employ advanced vitrification and nano-laser warming technologies to freeze coral larvae and establish cryobanks in each participating country. This approach not only serves as crucial protection against extinction for vulnerable coral species but also offers a way to preserve biological material from thermos-tolerant corals, which could play a key role in future reef restoration efforts as climate change progresses.
The project is being led by Prof. Chiahsin Lin, head of the Marine Biology Institute at Taiwan’s National Dong Hwa University and research fellow of Taiwan's National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, with a strong international collaborative effort. Prof. Lin stated, "Being selected as a CORDAP awardee is a significant milestone, particularly in terms of advancing the application of cryopreservation and cryobanking for coral conservation. This funding will enable us to expand our proof-of-concept work with coral planulae and turn innovative concepts into reality. Additionally, this opportunity allows us to share innovative technologies and knowledge with universities and research centers across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, which are home to some of the most diverse coral reefs on the planet. By working together, we not only enhance genetic diversity in our cryobanks but also create new research avenues for both emerging and established marine scientists. The potential to make a lasting impact on coral conservation and to collaborate with others in this vital field is truly exciting."
Prof. Lin emphasized the wider impact of the project, stating, "Our work not only helps protect coral species from extinction but also paves the way for stronger, more resilient reef ecosystems in the future. Cryopreservation and cryobanking have the potential to become key tools in coral restoration, providing a critical lifeline to ecosystems facing the ongoing challenges of climate change. Contributing to a global strategy for coral conservation and engaging in deep international collaboration is both inspiring and vital as we tackle one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our era."
The project is expected to serve as a framework for coral conservation in other parts of the world, demonstrating the power of innovation, international cooperation, and scientific research in addressing the biodiversity crisis.
https://cordap.org/cordap-announces-usd8-5-million-for-new-call-and-celebrates-cap-2023-awards/