Decades of Data Show Pacific Coral Reefs' Resilience to Warming Oceans

Data collected over the past 40 years at a coral reef in Palau suggests that corals have already adapted to warming oceans at a rate of 0.18°F per decade. The study indicates that established models for coral bleaching events should be updated to reflect the enhanced capacity of coral reefs to sustain themselves over time. The researchers found that if coral thermal tolerance continues to rise at the current rate, significant reductions in bleaching impacts are possible. However, strong action on climate change is necessary for coral communities to endure more intense and frequent marine heatwaves.