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.
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 23, 2024
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 9, 2024
Playing Matchmaker for Corals
Sexual or larval propagation, also called coral seeding, involves collecting spawn in the wild, fusing the eggs and sperm in a container, growing larvae in protected settings, and dispersing them back onto the reef.
September 25, 2023
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 27, 2023