Led by researchers from Newcastle University in the UK and James Cook University in Australia, the Coral Spawning Database has for the first time collated important information about the timing and geographic variation of coral spawning. This is a massive international effort involving more than 90 authors from 60 institutions in 20 countries.
The Coral Spawning Database counts more than 6,000 observations of the time and date of spawning of more than 300 species of stony corals at 101 sites in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific.
Scientists and conservationists can use this data to better understand environmental factors such as temperature, daylight patterns, and moon cycles that affect coral spawning times. By providing data going back to 1978, it can help researchers identify long-term trends in coral spawning timing and provide additional evidence for distinguishing closely related coral species. In addition to this, the database will provide a very important baseline for assessing future changes in coral spawning timing or seasonality on a regional and global scale in relation to climate change.
Dr James Guest, from Newcastle University's School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, said: "Knowing the timing of coral spawning can help coastal management, such as stopping fishing activities when coral spawns in large numbers. If coral spawning can be witnessed in person or remotely, then There is enormous potential for scientific outreach, education and tourism."
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