If you want to know what’s happening in the oceans, pay close attention to the world’s major coral reefs. Often described as the “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs host a wealth of biologically rich and productive ecosystems. They could also be called the “canaries in the coal mine” of climate change, because they’re so sensitive to shifting conditions. Whenever there’s a change in the ocean, it often shows up first in coral reefs.
