Highlights Molecular and microbiological approaches to track environmental degradation World-first research focusing on the integration of genomic, chemical and microbiological ecology is shedding light on the ability of coral reef organisms to cope with environmental change and helping to explain population level effects. Some of the world’s most advanced molecular techniques are being used by AIMS’ scientists to examine the effects of pollution, temperature and disease on corals, sponges and microbial symbionts and to identify sensitive indicators for these critical stressors. Research has found that coral larvae in search of an appropriate recruitment surface have evolved to detect molecular settlement signals, guided by a more ancient organism – calcareous algae. This discovery allows researchers to explore the processes that lead to larval metamorphosis, to determine the disruptive effects of human induced stress, and to artificially enhance recruitment of corals on degraded reefs. In another world first, researchers have identified the common bacterial pathogens causing the most recognised afflictions infecting corals of the GBR and Indo-Pacific, Black Band and Red Band Disease. These findings help scientists understand how environmental stress leads to outbreaks of coral disease, and enable better-informed environmental management and prediction. The bioactive Antarctic sponge Kirkpatrickia varialosa contains a novel and diverse microbial community that may provide a sensitive indication of environmental stress. Photo: C Wolff State of the art physiological, molecular and genomic techniques have been used to examine the effects of pollution stress on corals and sponges collected from ship grounding sites on the GBR and remarkably polluted sites near Antarctic research stations. Microbial populations contained within sponges and on the surface of the ocean floor were correlated with high levels of shipping antifoulant, hydrocarbon pollutants, and heavy metal contamination. This research complements ongoing studies to determine how the biotic stress of contamination from land runoff and shipping can affect tropical microbial communities critical to reef function and regeneration.

November 20, 2005