- SDGs14: Life Below Water -
Probiotics are microorganisms that have gained significant attention due to their potential benefits in human health and environmental preservation. Extensive research has been conducted on the use of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria or yeasts, in various fields, including agriculture, aquaculture, and medicine.
How do coral tissue loss diseases affect corals?
In recent years, scientists have also explored the potential of probiotics in combating coral tissue loss diseases and preserving the delicate ecosystems of coral reefs. Coral tissue loss diseases, such as white syndrome and black band disease, pose a significant threat to coral reefs worldwide, leading to coral mortality.
Coral tissue loss disease bacteria, namely Rhodobacterales and Rhizobiales, cause massive damage to coral cells, causing tissue damage and death in coral populations. These diseases have detrimental effects on coral cells and tissues. These diseases involve the progressive breakdown of coral tissue, leading to the loss of the living polyps that form the coral colonies. Different types of tissue loss diseases can affect corals, including white syndrome, black band disease, and others (Ushijima).
When corals are infected with these diseases, their cells undergo significant damage and degradation. The diseases often start as localized patches of tissue loss, which can rapidly spread and consume larger areas of the coral colony if left unchecked.
The exact mechanisms by which coral tissue loss diseases affect coral cells are still not fully understood. However, research suggests that the diseases involve the interaction between pathogenic microorganisms and the coral's immune system. The pathogenic microorganisms can release toxins or enzymes that directly damage coral cells, causing cell death and tissue breakdown (Ushijima). They may also disrupt the coral's normal cellular processes and interfere with essential functions such as nutrient uptake and energy production.
As the disease progresses, the coral's ability to maintain symbiotic relationships with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae is compromised. These algae provide corals with vital nutrients through photosynthesis, but their loss due to tissue loss diseases can lead to coral bleaching, where the corals turn pale or white. Ultimately, if the disease is severe and widespread, it can result in the death of the entire coral colony, impacting the biodiversity and stability of coral reef ecosystems (Ushijima).
However, new studies have discovered that probiotics are helpful in combatting coral tissue loss diseases. Probiotics have emerged as a potential solution for combatting coral tissue loss diseases and preserving the health of coral reef ecosystems. Extensive research and experimentation have been conducted to explore the effects of probiotics on corals and their ability to mitigate the impacts of these devastating diseases (Ushijima).
Figure 1. Coral infected with coral tissue loss disease.
Interactions between Probiotics and Corals
Probiotics, which consist of beneficial bacteria or yeasts, have been shown to offer promising benefits for corals. When administered to corals, probiotics can help restore a healthier microbial balance within the coral's ecosystem. Coral tissue loss diseases often arise due to an imbalance in the coral's microbial community, with pathogenic bacteria dominating beneficial ones. Probiotics can help rectify this imbalance by outcompeting harmful bacteria, inhibiting their growth, and promoting the proliferation of beneficial microbes.
By restoring microbial balance, probiotics create a more favorable environment for corals, reducing the prevalence and impact of tissue loss diseases. Studies have demonstrated that the application of probiotics can lead to a significant decrease in disease severity and a higher survival rate among corals affected by tissue loss diseases. The presence of beneficial microbes helps to prevent the spread of pathogens and the degradation of coral tissues, ultimately improving the overall health and resilience of the coral colony.
Probiotics also play a crucial role in enhancing the immune response of corals. These beneficial microorganisms can stimulate the coral's immune system, resulting in the production of antimicrobial compounds and the activation of defense mechanisms. By boosting the immune response, probiotics help corals fight against pathogenic bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that contribute to tissue loss diseases. This heightened immune response not only aids in combating the diseases but also promotes the recovery and regeneration of damaged coral tissues.
Furthermore, probiotics can improve nutrient uptake and utilization in corals. They enhance the efficiency of nutrient absorption within the coral's cells, ensuring that the corals receive essential nutrients necessary for their growth and survival. This increased nutrient availability supports the healing process, facilitates tissue regeneration, and minimizes the extent of tissue loss. By promoting the overall health and vitality of corals, probiotics contribute to their ability to withstand and recover from the impacts of tissue-loss diseases (KAUST).
In addition to combating coral tissue loss diseases, probiotics have shown the potential to enhance coral restoration efforts. Coral restoration involves activities such as coral propagation, transplantation, and the establishment of coral nurseries. These practices aim to rebuild damaged or degraded coral reefs and promote the recovery of coral populations. Probiotics can play a valuable role in these restoration efforts by improving the success rate of coral transplantation and accelerating the growth of transplanted corals (KAUST).
More studies have demonstrated that the application of probiotics during coral transplantation can enhance the survival and growth of transplanted corals. By creating a favorable microbial environment around the transplanted corals, probiotics support their establishment and integration into the existing reef ecosystem. This can significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of coral restoration initiatives, ultimately contributing to the conservation and preservation of coral reef ecosystems.
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