Two deadly diseases in Antigua’s coral reefs have prompted the Elkhorn Marine Conservancy’s (EMC) scientists, collaborating with Dr. Amy Apprill, associate scientist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in the United States, to investigate the many facets that make corals and their environment more resilient, including the marine microbiome. The microbiome — or the community of microorganisms such as bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists — in seawater plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling, decomposition of organic matter, and maintenance of water quality. Much like the microbiome of the human gut, which is increasingly recognized as a major driver of immune system function, the microbial communities in seawater can influence the immune systems of corals as well as other marine organisms.
The results obtained from this study will help EMC, Antigua and Barbuda National Parks Authority and other stakeholders understand local water quality issues, inform management recommendations, and identify optimal locations for future coral restoration efforts.
