One Earth (@cp-oneearth.bsky.social)

ARMS-to-Arks: Trophic rewiring of viral, microbial, and functional networks through reef ecosystem seeding Coral reefs depend on an unseen web of viruses, microbes, and tiny invertebrates that recycle nutrients, support food webs, and clean seawater. Despite their important role, most reef restoration efforts focus solely on corals. Little et al. show that these invisible communities can be transplanted as a unit by relocating pre-colonized settlement panels from natural reefs onto artificial reef structures to jump-start viral, microbial, and functional processes necessary to form a self-sustaining reef. The study offers a scalable, low-tech complement to coral planting and a new template for ecosystem-based reef restoration. http://dlvr.it/TT95Sm