90% of reefs will die by 2050. Unless we design better ones. 🪸🧬 We investigate the controversial science of Assisted Evolution. We break down the shift from "preserving nature" to "forcing evolution," exploring how scientists are using Microfragmentation, Assisted Gene Flow, and automation to build reefs that can survive a warming world.

1. The Extinction Imperative: Passive protection is dead. We analyze the crisis. We discuss the projection that without radical intervention, we will lose 90% of coral reefs by 2050. We explain the biology of Bleaching—a stress response where coral expels its symbiotic algae—and why local marine parks are no longer enough to stop it.

2. The "Super Coral" Toolkit: Speed-growing the survivors. We expose the tech. We discuss Microfragmentation, a gardening technique that accelerates growth rates, and Assisted Gene Flow, where heat-tolerant corals are moved to cooler areas to spread their resilient genes. We look at the role of CoralMaker automation and UZA light arrays in industrializing restoration.

3. The Herbivore Backup: It’s not just about the coral. We explore the ecosystem. We discuss the vital role of Diadema Sea Urchins and Caribbean King Crabs . We explain why restoring these "grazers" is essential to eat the suffocating macroalgae and keep the reef clean for new super corals to grow.

The full list of sources used to create this episode can be found on our Patreon under https://www.patreon.com/c/Morgrain