Sea of HOPE

ALIZ BONNIN on the| pionieeting Sciences st that could saverOulr coral reetsie

- HANNAH DAVIES

Half of all coral reefs across the globe are either already dead or seriously damaged, potentially affecting a quarter of all marine life and the health of our world. But in BBC1’s Our Changing Planet: Restoring Our Reefs, Liz Bonnin and Steve Backshall meet the scientists keen to find solutions that could give coral reefs a vital helping hand.

These groundbreaking techniques are highlighted in the one-off special – the third yearly update in an ambitious seven-year project to monitor the world’s endangered ecosystems. They include growing tiny corals in lab conditions and even a type of coral IVF!

Here, in an exclusive interview with TV Times, Liz, 47, tells us why saving coral reefs is so important…

What makes coral reefs so vital?

They’re actually the most biodiverse habitats after rainforests, creating homes for a myriad of wildlife. But they’re also crucial in providing protection from storm surges for much of our coastlines, as well as playing a vital part in the health of our oceans and in our weather patterns. Their role in providing a healthy planet can’t be overestimated.