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An initiative of the Center for Biological Diversity

An initiative of the Center for Biological Diversity

Wild, Incisive, Fearless.

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Melissa Gaskill

is a freelance science writer based in Austin whose work has appeared in Scientific American, Mental Floss, Newsweek, Alert Diver and many other publications. She is the co-author of A Worldwide Travel Guide to Sea Turtles and author of Pandas to Penguins: Ethical Encounters with Animals at Risk.
https://x.com/MelissaGaskill http://melissagaskill.blogspot.com/
Oceans & Clean Water

Seagrass Gardening

From tiny seeds come big results: replanting seagrass meadows that help fish, protect coastlines, and absorb climate-heating carbon dioxide.
February 18, 2025
by
Melissa Gaskill
From tiny seeds come big results: replanting seagrass meadows that help fish, protect coastlines, and absorb climate-heating carbon dioxide.
Bulldozers push sand at a beach
Oceans & Clean Water

Coastal Restoration: Shifting Sand — for Better or Worse

Taking sand from one place to save another often creates more problems — but there are ways to fix that.
September 30, 2024
by
Melissa Gaskill
Taking sand from one place to save another often creates more problems — but there are ways to fix that.
Massive pits show where sand and gravel have been mined
Oceans & Clean Water

Coastal Restoration: Saving Sand

Increasing demand for this seemingly abundant and common material harms human and natural communities — and fuels a lucrative and dangerous illegal industry.
July 15, 2024
by
Melissa Gaskill
Increasing demand for this seemingly abundant and common material harms human and natural communities — and fuels a lucrative and dangerous illegal industry.
A volunteer in a yellow shirt places a mesh bag of oyster shells in the mud. Sea grasses and other volunteers in the background.
Oceans & Clean Water

Coastal Restoration: Recycled Shells and Millions of Larvae — A Recipe for Renewed Oyster Reefs

As oyster reefs have declined, other marine species have suffered and coastal storm damage has increased. Innovative programs are starting to help.
April 3, 2024
by
Melissa Gaskill
As oyster reefs have declined, other marine species have suffered and coastal storm damage has increased. Innovative programs are starting to help.
People stand above a glass tank with metal rails on top inside looking in.
Oceans & Clean Water

Can Artificial Reefs Restore Corals and Protect Coastal Communities?

Researchers in Florida are testing an artificial reef planted with live corals.
December 20, 2023
by
Melissa Gaskill
Researchers in Florida are testing an artificial reef planted with live corals.
A scuba diver swims above a coral reef
Oceans & Clean Water

Playing Matchmaker for Corals

Improving the success of sexual reproduction is another tool for restoring the world’s coral reefs.
August 9, 2023
by
Melissa Gaskill
Improving the success of sexual reproduction is another tool for restoring the world’s coral reefs.
3 scuba divers float above restored coral
Oceans & Clean Water

Planting Coral Gardens to Save Florida’s Reefs

Volunteers flock to Key Largo to go underwater and help restore one of the world’s most important ecosystems.
July 19, 2023
by
Melissa Gaskill
Volunteers flock to Key Largo to go underwater and help restore one of the world’s most important ecosystems.
Oceans & Clean Water

Coral Reefs Are in Crisis. Could a Controversial Idea Help?

To preserve habitat for fish and benefits for humans, some scientists suggest we need to explore the need for assisted migration.
April 26, 2023
by
Melissa Gaskill
To preserve habitat for fish and benefits for humans, some scientists suggest we need to explore the need for assisted migration.
Seagrass
Oceans & Clean Water

Seagrass: Another Vital Carbon-Sequestering Ecosystem Threatened by Climate Change

Underwater meadows have rapidly disappeared around the world, but new research suggests they may be the easiest coastal habitat to restore.
November 23, 2020
by
Melissa Gaskill
Underwater meadows have rapidly disappeared around the world, but new research suggests they may be the easiest coastal habitat to restore.
Mangroves in the Everglades
Climate Change

Mangroves Could Help Save Us From Climate Change. Climate Change Is Killing Mangroves.

Coastal mangrove forests help protect communities and habitats from storm surges, but sea-level rise could wipe them out.
August 19, 2020
by
Melissa Gaskill
Coastal mangrove forests help protect communities and habitats from storm surges, but sea-level rise could wipe them out.

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An initiative of the Center for Biological Diversity