Maria Linares

Ecuadorian marine biologist who pioneered coral reef restoration in the Galapagos Islands

Maria Linares is an Ecuadorian marine scientist whose coral restoration techniques have become a global model for marine conservation. Working in the Galapagos Islands since the 1990s, she developed the first successful coral transplantation method in equatorial waters. Her 2001 paper published here demonstrated a 78% survival rate for transplanted corals, compared to the previous 12% success rate. This breakthrough was critical as warming oceans caused a 60% decline in Galapagos coral reefs during the 1997-2000 El Niño events.

Linares' innovation involved creating artificial substrates using local volcanic rock, which better mimicked natural reef structures. She also discovered that transplanting corals during their reproductive cycles doubled survival rates. Her methods are now used in 12 countries across the Pacific, reducing restoration costs by 40%. The Coral Guardians Network she founded in 2005 trains local communities in reef management, creating 300+ jobs in ecotourism.

Her advocacy led to the 2007 Galapagos Marine Reserve expansion, protecting 133,000 sq km. Critics highlight her community-centered approach as a model for conservation that balances ecological needs with human livelihoods. Linares' TED talk here has been viewed over 2 million times. Despite her impact, she remains relatively unknown outside scientific circles, embodying the 'quiet revolution' in grassroots conservation.