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DNA testing isn’t only for humans anymore. In recent years, DNA testing has been used to help dogs, plants and now, even ocean life. Worldwide, populations of coral and the thousands of species that live in their reefs are suffering the effects of climate change. Fortunately, enterprising scientists believe that DNA testing might be able to help.

Off the coast of Queensland, Australia, stretching an astonishing 133,000 square miles over the floor of great barrier reef dna 300x225 How DNA testing Can Help Barrier Reefsthe Coral Sea, lies the Great Barrier Reef. It is the single biggest structure made of living organisms in the world, and this marvel of the ocean is visible from space.

Coral is made up of billions of tiny organisms called coral polyps. The Great Barrier Reef, a network of coral reefs and about 900 islands, is made up of over four hundred species of coral forming nearly 3,000 individual reefs. In addition to the coral, the Great Barrier Reef is teeming with sea life. Dolphins, whales, sea snakes, thousands of fish, sea turtles and even salt water crocodiles call the Reef home. Nearly a thousand species of coral-dwelling orgasms like anemones live symbiotically with the coral formations as well.

Sadly, the Reef is being devastated by climate change and pollution. In October 2012, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that the Reef has lost more than half its coral cover since 1985. Coral is extremely sensitive to changes in salinity and temperature. Even minute shifts can destroy coral populations. Climate change is warming ocean water globally, and the melting of the polar ice caps is changing the ocean’s salinity. These changes are triggering mass coral death, called coral bleaching, in the Great Barrier Reef.

A group of scientists fighting to find ways to help the Reef are hoping an answer than be found in coral DNA. Just as human DNA can vary from region to region, so can the DNA of specific coral species. Many identical species of coral live in both the Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea in the Middle East. Compared to the Reef, the conditions in the Red Sea are extreme. The coral there withstands much warmer, saltier waters than their Australian cousins.

Scientists are hoping to identify and understand the areas of genetic code that affect a coral’s ability to adapt to change. They are also looking to discern which species are more resilient and why. Using this research, they can devise targeted conservation efforts and prioritize those corals that are more vulnerable.

Recent research is showing that simple conservation efforts will not be enough to protect the dwindling coral populations in the Great Barrier Reef. Saving the reef will require a full scale restoration effort of an ecosystem in turmoil. Unless action is taken, the coral population could halve again in the next decade. Hopefully, with the help of DNA testing, scientists may just be able to reverse the damage.

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