How corals may survive climate change - Iliana Baums
66 views · Published 15 May 2017 · 8:48 · Indexed 21 October 2026
Channel: wpsu · 2017 · Science & Technology
How corals may survive climate change - Iliana Baums Corals are the animals that build coral reefs and protect shorelines from erosion and provide shelter for commercially important fish and invertebrates. Reefs therefore generate billions of dollars in economic value annually. Yet, corals are sensitive to even small changes in ocean temperature and have experienced increasing levels of mass mortality due to climate change. Just this summer large areas of Australia's Great Barrier Reef experienced more than 98% coral mortality. This sensitivity to environmental change drives our research our into potential mechanisms by which corals may survive increasing seawater temperatures. We have developed strategies on how to conserve the genetic diversity of corals as the most effective safeguard against extinction of these beautiful animals.
