Coral Reefs Are Quietly Running the Ocean on a Daily Schedule

Coral Reefs Are Quietly Running the Ocean on a Daily Schedule

Coral reefs act like timekeepers for nearby microbes, triggering daily cycles that reshape microscopic life in surrounding waters. These hidden rhythms reveal reefs as active ecosystem engineers—and potential early warning systems for reef health. A new study reveals that coral reefs do far more than shelter fish and colorful marine life. They also help organize [...]

Reefs act as powerful regulators of the microscopic life in the surrounding ocean

New research provides fresh insight into the functioning of coral reefs and offers hope for protecting these diverse ocean habitats.Coral reefs influence the daily rhythms on nearby microbial communities, reshaping their composition and abundance. Image: Adobe.Coral reefs are more than just biodiversity hotspots providing a home for thousands of species of ocean life, they also establish the daily schedule for many tiny microbes living in nearby…