In the vast, vibrant world of coral reefs, a tiny yet mighty organism, the mixotrophic reef-building coral, plays a crucial role in both marine ecosystems and the global energy balance. Recent research published in the journal *Nature Communications Biology* (formerly known as *Communications Biology*) sheds new light on how these corals acquire nutrition, a discovery that could have significant implications for our understanding of coral resilience and the energy sector’s approach to marine ecosystems.
Connor R. Love, a researcher at the Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, led a study that challenges conventional methods of measuring coral heterotrophy—the process by which corals capture and consume prey or particles. Love and his team found that corals incorporate fatty acids and nitrogen from their prey into both their own tissues and those of their symbiotic microalgae. However, carbon, the primary target for conventional heterotrophy measurements, was not effectively incorporated.
“This selective nutrient incorporation suggests that we’ve been underestimating the contribution of heterotrophy to the nutrition of reef-building corals,” Love explained. The study used a controlled feeding gradient to simulate environments ranging from pure autotrophy (where corals rely solely on their symbiotic algae for nutrition) to pure heterotrophy (where corals rely solely on captured prey).
The findings underscore the importance of heterotrophy in helping corals retain essential elements like nitrogen and molecules like fatty acids. This has profound implications for coral resilience, particularly in the face of environmental stress. As Love noted, “Heterotrophy promotes resistance to, and recovery from, environmental stress, but quantifying coral heterotrophy remains difficult due to complex resource exchanges within the coral holobiont.”
For the energy sector, this research could shape future developments in several ways. Coral reefs play a vital role in coastal protection, supporting industries like fisheries and tourism. Understanding how corals acquire nutrition can inform strategies for coral restoration and conservation, which in turn can help protect coastal infrastructure and reduce the economic impact of coral reef degradation.
Moreover, the study highlights the need for more sophisticated methods to measure coral heterotrophy. As Love and his team demonstrated, conventional carbon isotope offset approaches may not provide a complete picture. This calls for further research and innovation in measurement techniques, which could open up new avenues for collaboration between marine biologists and energy sector researchers.
In the broader context, this research underscores the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems and the global energy balance. As we strive to develop sustainable energy solutions, understanding and protecting these delicate ecosystems becomes increasingly important. The study by Love and his team is a significant step in that direction, offering valuable insights that could shape the future of coral conservation and the energy sector’s approach to marine ecosystems.