A 'Genetic Insurance Policy' for Coral Reefs: Cryobanks in the Coral Triangle
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Coral Reefs, Coral Bleaching, Biodiversity Hotspots like the Coral Triangle, Conservation methods - In-situ and Ex-situ like Cryopreservation, IUCN); Science & Technology (Biotechnology).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment & Biodiversity): Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; Biodiversity and its conservation. This is a perfect example of a new conservation technology and a regional cooperation initiative for a critical ecosystem.
Key Highlights from the News
The Coral Triangle, known as the "Amazon of the seas" and the world's richest marine ecosystem, is facing significant destruction.
Ocean warming due to climate change, leading to coral bleaching, is the main threat.
To protect these corals from extinction, the first coral larvae cryobank in Southeast Asia is being established in the Philippines.
This functions like a "genetic insurance policy."
Using cryopreservation technology, coral larvae can be frozen in liquid nitrogen at –196º C and preserved for years without damage.
Vitrification, a special rapid freezing method, is used for this.
In the future, these larvae can be used to restore damaged coral reefs.
Experts state that the active participation of local communities dependent on these coral reefs is essential for these conservation efforts to succeed.
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