Mystery of the Dying Coral Reefs

Ask A Biologist Podcast

Chapters
0:00
Intro
1:50
Why are coral reefs important?
2:51
Coral reefs act like a rainforest of the ocean.
3:55
Are coral reefs found everywhere in the ocean? [What they are and what they need to live]
4:35
Coral reefs are actually two living organisms. [Symbiotic relationship]
4:47
What are the functions of coral reefs?
5:36
Importance of learning what species live in and around the coral reefs.
6:48
Photosynthesis and coral reefs.
7:33
Oceans Breathe. [O2 and CO2 relationship]
8:39
Importance of pH. [Acidic and basic conditions]
9:40
What is the overall health of coral reefs in the world?
10:18
Why are coral reefs dying?
11:50
If some coral has a disease why not just give them medicine?
12:32
How does taxonomy fit into this mystery?
13:16
Protistas and ciliates.
14:07
Importance of ciliates for the environment.
15:08
Ciliates and the mysterious deaths of some coral reefs.
15:38
Taxonomy is not just knowing the scientific name of an animal. [Exploring, explaining, describing]
17:14
What's a paramiscus?
17:55
How is taxonomy helping finding out the answer to the mystery?
20:58
Is this "disease" moving? [Taxonomy also describes where things live]
22:37
What about the pack of marauding hunters?
25:06
Taxonomists as explorers. [We still do not know 90% of what is living on Earth]
25:37
What is the future of coral reefs?
26:32
Life as a taxonomist.
27:52
When did you first know you wanted to be a biologist or scientist?
29:05
What would you do if you could not be a biologist or scientist?
30:09
What advice do you have for someone wanting to be a scientist?
31:53
Sign-off
Ask A Biologist Podcast
Mystery of the Dying Coral Reefs
May 19, 2008 Episode 36
Dr. Biology Talks with Diana Lipscomb

Dr. Biology and his guest, taxonomist Diana Lipscomb, dive into the mystery of why coral reefs around the world are dying. With no untouched reefs left today, the possibility of losing this important marine life and habitat is real. Learn how taxonomy is being used to solve the mystery and possibly save these beautiful and important ecosystems.

Watch: How El Niño impacts ocean temperatures and corals.

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