Threatened coral reefs have a protector in the Smithsonian. Scientists there have created a world-class genomic library and frozen repository that includes 16 coral species from two of the world’s major oceans. These biobanks provide a major hedge against extinction for corals facing the damaging effects of climate change, disease and loss of genetic diversity. This research will be discussed at the Smithsonian's Earth Optimism Summit April 21-23, 2017.
Photo credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo