A vulnerable underground world

Institute Insights


Branching coral grows off Apo Island in the Philippines in summer 2019. Photos by Zoe Ruben

Branching coral grows off Apo Island in the Philippines in summer 2019. Photos by Zoe Ruben

I wake up to the smell of salty sea air, sunscreen, and freshly brewed coffee. Morning light spills through the windows, illuminating the pile of gear at the foot of my bed: swimmy, rash guard, breathable leggings, buff, and hat.

I pull them on, grab a cup of joe, and head to the kitchen for field prep. Today’s another day on the reef—surveying a vibrant, vulnerable underwater world teeming with life.

This scenario is one I wish everyone could experience. But diving into coral research isn’t accessible for many. It’s expensive, location-bound, and physically demanding. Yet we scientists often shout, “Save the coral reefs!” without always explaining why they’re so vital.

One of my favorite quotes, from Senegalese forest engineer Baba Dioum, says it best:

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”

This is where teaching and storytelling come in. So, come with me on this field day and explore what coral reefs have to offer.

Zoe Ruben holds a coral fragment that is showing signs of stress and coral bleaching.

Zoe Ruben holds a coral fragment that is showing signs of stress and coral bleaching.

First, let’s load the boat. We need a long measuring tape to lay a transect—an underwater line across the reef where we’ll count coral colonies, identify species, estimate their abundance, and check for disease.

We’ll bring our snorkel gear, waterproof notebook, dive slate, and pencil. Our collaborators have packed the rest: snacks, sunscreen, and lots of water. Careful stepping down from the dock—the boat’s a bit of a drop.

While we motor to the site, here’s a little background. Though coral reefs cover just 0.1 percent of the ocean floor, they support 25 percent of all marine life. They offer food, shelter, and nursery grounds to countless species. Because of their richness, we often call them “the rainforests of the sea.”

And it’s not just marine life that benefits. Reefs support fishing and tourism industries and protect coastlines from storm surge and erosion. Without reefs, we lose biodiversity, livelihoods, and shoreline stability.

Zoe Ruben is the Mission Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Stewardship Coordinator at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute.

Zoe Ruben is the Mission Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Stewardship Coordinator at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute.

But reefs are under threat. Pollution from growing human populations, warming ocean temperatures, and increasing acidity are wreaking havoc. Some coral skeletons are literally dissolving. Corals are more prone to disease and bleaching. Under these conditions, it’s crucial to understand which species are most resilient—and whether they can recover.

That’s why we’re here. The data we collect today—what species are where, and how they’re doing—can help answer these questions.

We’ve reached our site. Mask on, snorkel ready? Let’s get in. Glide slowly. Coral is delicate. I’ll lay the transect line; you follow along and record your observations. I’ll do the same.

We’ll compare notes afterward. Oh look! Montastraea cavernosa—great star coral. One of my favorites. Bright orange, with large, fleshy polyps. Signs of health. Good news.

We’ll visit a few more sites today and then head back. I hope this gives you a glimpse into why coral reef conservation is so essential—and a taste of how field science feels: salty, sweaty, sun-soaked, and incredibly rewarding.

Stay curious. Share what you’ve learned. Remember:

With education comes understanding. With understanding comes love. And with love comes conservation.

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