Climate-resilient coral a ray of light for the world’s reefs

Climate change is a major threat to coral reefs. But some coral species appear to be better able to withstand and survive in a warmer ocean – if global warming is limited to 2 degrees, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Coral reefs are important for biodiversity, but they are also one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems. As the ocean warms, many corals bleach and die.

The world has already warmed 1.1 degrees and coral death is widespread. The fact that the new study suggests that some species in Hawaii are better able to adapt to rising temperatures than previously thought is seen as a ray of hope.

But the problems remain, according to Björn Källström, a researcher at the Swedish Maritime Museum Akvariet. We need to do much, much more to save the corals,” he tells Vetenskapsradion.