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An underwater photo of a square frame of roughly 100 elkhorn and staghorn corals drifts in the water of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, above a sandy sea floor dotted with sea grass. Conservationists anchor loose pieces of coral in to a frame such as this one, which is then moved to an area with clean water and lots of light for the corals to grow. After 10-14 months, when the corals have quadrupled in size, they are replanted in various reefs to strengthen vulnerable and damaged areas. This particular frame belongs to the Sociedad Ambiente Marino, and is one of 145 coral farms the organization manages in and around Puerto Rico.

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A square frame of roughly 100 elkhorn and staghorn corals drifts in the water of Playa Melones, Puerto Rico, above a sandy sea floor dotted with sea grass. Conservationists anchor loose pieces of coral in to a frame such as this one, which is then moved to an area with clean water and lots of light for the corals to grow. After 10-14 months, when the corals have quadrupled in size, they are replanted in various reefs to strengthen vulnerable and damaged areas. This particular frame belongs to the Sociedad Ambiente Marino, and is one of 145 coral farms the organization manages in and around Puerto Rico.

Image Credit: NASA Ames/Milan Loiacono
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Image CreditNASA Ames/Milan Loiacono
Size3928x5892px