13/10/2025
10:00 - 11:00
IUCN - The Americas - Room 2
, Morning
Session with interpretation
Why attend
This session will inspire hope as you learn how a project led by women biologists, local community members, and youth scientists discovered successful sexual reproduction of corals in the resilient reef of Tela, Honduras.
Session Description
This session will present the first evidence of successful coral sexual reproduction in the reef system of Tela Bay, Honduras. Despite the bay's high rates of sedimentation, high concentration of heavy metals in the sand, over a century of fertilizer runoff, and detrimental effects of urbanization, the corals in Tela Bay appear unexpectedly healthy and robust. A settlement tile study, spearheaded by a cohort of women biologists, youth scientists, and local community members, was implemented over the course of several months to try to capture coral recruits, or coral babies. Coral recruitment is a key indicator of reef resilience and recovery potential. At least 27 coral recruits of at least two different species were discovered on the tiles in 2024. Each species has a distinct reproductive strategy, which contributes to the biodiversity and overall ecological resilience of the Tela Bay reef.Organised by
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Region
Partners
Commission on Education and Communication
Speaker
