In a recent study, scientists have discovered a new advanced imaging technology which is capable of monitoring the growth of baby corals in real-time. This technology could be a breakthrough in helping researchers understand how coral reefs form, and could ultimately lead to better conservation efforts for the ocean’s most vibrant ecosystems. The imaging technique, which is a combination of acoustic imaging and 3D modeling, allows scientists to observe the development of corals from when they first settle on the reef to when they become full-sized colonies. The technology is so sensitive that it can even detect the difference in size between individual coral polyps, which are the building blocks of a coral colony. This breakthrough could be invaluable in helping us understand how coral reefs form, and how to best protect them.

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source: Phys.org