A new and significant role for marine1 reserves on the Great Barrier Reef has been revealed, with researchers finding the reserves reduce the prevalence of coral diseases. Its been known for some time that marine reserves are important for maintaining and enhancing fish stocks, but this is the first time marine reserves have been shown to enhance coral health on the Great Barrier Reef.Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence2 for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University found that coral disease levels were four times lower inside no-take marine reserves, where fishing is banned, compared to outside reserves.We surveyed more than 80,000 corals around the Whitsunday Islands for six different diseases that commonly harm reef corals around the world, says study lead author, Dr Joleah Lamb from the Coral CoE.We found three coral diseases were more prevalent on reefs outside no-take marine reserves, particularly on reefs with high levels of injured corals and discarded fishing line. Wounded corals are more vulnerable to disease. Damaged tissue provides sites where pathogens and parasites3 can invade, particularly as coral immune responses are lowered while they heal.Dr Lamb says once a pathogen infects a coral, tissue loss typically spreads from the point of entry.Its like getting gangrene on your foot and there is nothing you can do to sTOP it from affecting your leg and ultimately your whole body.Disease outbreaks can take a heavy toll4, with losses of up to 95 per cent of coral cover on some reefs in the Caribbean.
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1 marine adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 参考例句： Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是存活在海里的生物。 When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。
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