A glowing fluorescent coral reef might initially sound like something beautiful, yet it is a sign of a last desperate move by corals to survive.
Coral reefs are magnificent and magical underwater gardens. They are the underwater equivalent of the Amazon Rainforest, supporting a huge variety of animals. Coral reefs are made of tiny animals called coral polyps. When numerous corals come together, they form a reef that functions as one organism.
The reef is formed from the hard skeletons of polyps built to protect the coral’s soft bodies. The coral polyps are tiny, soft-bodied invertebrate animals and each polyp is home to microscopic algae.
Climate change influences the ecosystems in coral reefs around the world by causing the water to warm, sea levels to rise, and ocean acidification.
In hotter waters, the corals eject the algae living inside them, leading to coral bleaching and weakened skeletons. The return of the algae is crucial since corals rely on algae for nourishment. Within a few years, an entire coral reef can break down, and much of the biodiversity that depends on its structure is lost. Thus, coral bleaching is a significant threat to coral ecosystems.
When the algae have left the corals, the glowing colors act like protection, a sort of sunscreen. The vivid colours function like a neon sign that lures the algae to return and resume their symbiotic relationship with the coral. Thus, a stunning fluorescent coral reef is a sign that the reef has reached a tipping point. The campaign Glowing Glowing Gone was created to inspire action to save coral reefs.
This is a great article about glowing reefs: Coral reefs that glow bright neon during bleaching offer hope for recovery – new study
Glowing corals were the inspiration behind our latest book about ecosystem engineers. Other titles are Orla’s Golden Blanket: Sea Otters’ Secret to a Bright Blue Future and The Rhino in Me: A Story of Friendship, Protection and Milk Lollies.
Our aim with these books is to weave non-fiction and fiction together to create an engaging story. The story about two pygmy seahorses, Nyla and Nick, is first a story, but it is based on recent research about coral bleaching.
When might a glowing underwater garden be useful for a pygmy seahorse?
This beautiful book will captivate young children, introducing them to the enchanting world of life in a coral reef. Through the story of Nyla, a pygmy seahorse, children will learn about the adaptations and changes made by marine life due to climate change, such as corals glowing in fluorescent colors. Children will embark on a colorful journey into the captivating world of corals, discovering the vital role they play as ecosystem engineers.
Follow the journey of Nyla as she navigates through the impacts of a big storm that uproots her home. This is a powerful and moving picture book, filled with real-life photos, depicting the effects of heat waves and storms on coral reefs. Children can also identify with other relatable themes, including friendship and coping with change.
This engaging and educational book not only sheds light on the challenges faced by marine ecosystems but also encourages children to explore the incredible adaptations of coral reefs and the remarkable abilities of pygmy seahorses to change color. Give the gift of love for our oceans and marine conservation with Nyla’s Glowing Underwater Garden: A Coral Reef Adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learn to design and problem-solving. Instead of inventing from scratch, it means studying how plants, animals, and ecosystems have already solved a challenge — like staying cool, collecting water, or absorbing carbon — and adapting that strategy for human use.
How does biomimicry help address climate change?
Nature has been adapting to extreme conditions for billions of years, so many organisms already hold working solutions to problems we now face at a larger scale — cooling buildings without electricity (termite mounds), collecting water in drought (the Namib beetle), protecting coastlines from storms (mangrove roots), and capturing carbon (corals, forests, kelp). Biomimicry means studying those solutions and applying the same principles to human design.
How can children get involved in biomimicry?
Children don’t need special training to think like a biomimicrist — just curiosity and a habit of asking “how does nature solve this?” Simple ways to start include a backyard scavenger hunt for nature’s patterns, a “design-an-animal” challenge for a changing climate, or building a small model (like a passive-cooling structure or a water collector) inspired by something they’ve observed outdoors.
Is biomimicry only for scientists and engineers?
No — biomimicry is as much a mindset as a profession. Anyone can practice it by observing nature closely and asking design questions. Professional biomimicry practitioners apply it in architecture, materials science, and engineering, but the same core skill — careful observation followed by “what if we built it that way?” — is exactly what this post’s classroom and family activities are designed to build in children.
Åsa Jomård
In 2015, Åsa completed a course in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. With over 10 years of experience exploring nature for inspiration and as a former member of Ben, Biomimicry Education Network, she brings both academic background and creative teaching experience to her work. Her materials seamlessly integrate stories, nature observations, and design challenges, making them perfect for inquiry-led learning in early primary contexts.
AI was used as a Thinking Partner.
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