https://youtu.be/-JjQTnN2WBE
A Newcastle University-led study spanning 40 years has revealed that Pacific coral reefs might possess greater resilience to warming oceans than previously believed.
The research, conducted within Palau’s territorial waters, found evidence suggesting that corals can adapt to rising temperatures at an estimated rate of 0.18°F per decade. The study challenges existing models of coral bleaching, suggesting that these stunning underwater ecosystems may have an enhanced ability to withstand the effects of climate change over time.
The findings offer optimism, proposing that significant reductions in bleaching impacts are feasible if coral thermal tolerance continues to rise in line with historical rates. However, the study underscores the need for substantial action against climate change to ensure these adaptations keep pace with increasingly intense marine heat waves.