ZIMS at Work: L’Oceanogràfic aquarium measures role in sustaining essential corals

Levante News: When Conservation Science Alliance researchers measured the potential role of aquariums in saving vulnerable species of corals, L’Oceanogràfic (Valencia, Spain) took it a step further by helping local audiences understand the impact of its collections.

The aquarium confirmed that it sustains 28 coral species assessed as vulnerable to climate change — a data point that has helped to underscore the perils facing marine life and the importance of conservation.

Corals that are preserved in aquariums around the world are essential for rebuilding populations at risk of extinction. In a study published in Journal for Nature Conservation, Species360 Conservation Science Alliance measured the role of the global aquatic community in preserving more than 30% of coral species identified as Vulnerable to Climate Change and 19 of the 111 species evaluated as Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered.

These “insurance populations” are already yielding results as part of regional and global efforts to rebuild reefs such as those on the southeast coast of North America and in the Great Barrier Reef. Read more here (in Spanish) the news article by “Levante.”

For help doing a similar assessment of your institution’s collection, email us at Support@Species360.org or Mary.Ellen@Species360.org