How researchers are trying to save the Great Barrier Reef

A kaleidoscope of color, the Great Barrier Reef is a natural wonder.

Located in waters off the coast of Queensland, Australia, it boasts a wide variety of life, from soft and hard coral to fish, molluscs, plankton, whales and dolphins.

Attracting tourists from around the world, it also makes a substantial contribution to the country’s economy: Over 5.6 billion Australian dollars (around $3.71 billion) each year, according to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, or GBRMPA.

While they may be beautiful to look at, coral reefs act as crucial tools in protecting the environment.

As the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has noted, “the coral reef structure buffers…