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Reef Exchanges

Reef Exchanges

Written by: Reef Resilience Network
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The Reef Resilience Network’s podcast, Reef Exchanges, features conversations between Network team members and experts from around the world. Each episode features an in-depth discussion around a new development in marine science and management. You can listen to episodes below, or where ever you get your podcasts.

© 2026 The Nature Conservancy
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Episodes
  • Confirm, Then Act Fast: Encountering Invasive Soft Corals in Puerto Rico
    Apr 14 2026

    On this episode, we are joined by Daniel Toledo-Rodriguez, master’s student at the University of Puerto Rico, and Dr. Nilda Jimenez from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Daniel and Nilda talk about their recent work looking into invasive soft coral species that have been found in Puerto Rico’s coral reef ecosystems. From collecting samples and conducting genetic testing to conducting outreach with local dive shops, Daniel and Nilda discuss the actions they’ve been taking to marshal the resources and time needed to rapidly address invasive soft corals.

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    27 mins
  • Just Graze: Restoring Herbivores to Coral Reefs in Saba
    Mar 2 2026

    Eutrophication, species die-offs, and overfishing herbivorous fish and urchins have led to faster-growing algae in many areas of the Caribbean, preventing corals from recruiting and recovering from disturbances. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Alwin Hylkema, Associate Professor of Coastal Ecosystem Restoration at Van Hall Larenstein University and Wageningen University. Alwin describes his work restoring local sea urchins to the reef, and the potential for combining herbivore restoration with coral reef restoration through “tandem restoration” that can improve outcomes across a reef system.

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    28 mins
  • Hold it Together: Stabilizing Rubble for Reef Restoration
    Feb 23 2026

    In this episode, originally recorded for the 2025 Coral Reef Restoration Mentored Online Course, we speak with Suki Leung at the University of Queensland Marine Spatial Ecology Lab. Suki joins course mentors Margaux Hein and Caitlin Lustic to discuss methods and approaches for rubble stabilization in coral reef areas, an often crucial step in preparing an area for coral restoration activities. Many potential restoration sites have been damaged or degraded to the point that they no longer provide suitable habitat for coral settlement or growth. Whether through rubble stabilization or installing artificial reefs, physical restoration techniques are literally foundational practices for effective coral reef restoration.

    The opinions that Suki expresses are hers alone and not those of The University of Queensland or Reef Restoration & Adaptation Programme (RRAP).

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    30 mins
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