Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method of culturing coral tissues and polyps in vitro. Coral tissues obtained by the method of the invention may be maintained as heterotypic spheroid tissue balls for a period of at least three months or they may be induced to undergo development into new polyps, a process termed re-morphogenesis. This method can produce genetic clones of model species from single individuals that can be propagated either as undifferentiated tissue calli or as developed polyps. The products of the invention are of value to a number of educational, scientific, and commercial endeavors. Specifically, this method can be used to propagate genetic clones (strains) of a model organism for scientific research, to serve as ‘pro-environmental conservation’ sources of coral stock for educational specimens as well as a rapidly generated inventory for commercial aquarium industry.

Abstract: A novel method for assessing the health of an ecosystem is provided. The method comprises measuring the levels of a plurality of physiological parameters of a nonhuman organism living in the ecosystem and determining whether the organism is healthy or physiologically stressed based on the levels of the tested physiological parameters. To the extent that the organism is physiologically stressed, the results of the measurement are employed to assess the type and degree of stress occurring in the ecosystem.