Genetic banks will store coral sperm.

• Position: Great Barrier Reef

A frozen repository of Great Barrier Reef coral sperm and embryonic cells is being built by researchers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Fort Royal, Va., and partnering organizations.

Genetic banks composed of frozen biomaterials hold strong promise for basic and applied research and conservation of species and genetic variation. Because the banked cells are alive, researchers can thaw the frozen material one, 50, or, in theory, even 1,000 years from now to help restore a species or diversify a population.

Done properly over time, samples of frozen material can be reared and placed back into ecosystems to infuse new genes into natural populations, thereby helping to enhance the health and viability of wild stocks.

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"It is crucial that we begin ex-situ conservation on coral reefs while their genetic diversity is still high," implores marine biologist Mary Hagedorn. "Although we hope we'll never need to use these banks, the cost of not doing this work and subsequently losing valuable diversity and resources is too high."

Hagedorn recently created the first frozen repositories for endangered elkhorn coral, Acropora palmate, and Hawaiian mushroom coral, Fungia scutari. Researchers have utilized these repositories to fertilize fresh coral eggs. SCBI is joining with organizations to freeze sperm and embryonic cells from the Great Barrier Reef's staghorn coral, A. millepora.

Coral reefs are living, dynamic ecosystems that provide invaluable services. They act as nursery grounds for marine fish and invertebrates; provide natural storm barriers for coastlines; purify carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; and are...