Recently: A new study has shown that coral reefs in one part of the Pacific Ocean might have adjusted to higher ocean temperatures, indicating a sort of climate resistance.

Key Findings of Study:

• Coral reefs facing continuous threat due to rising global temperatures.
• A study is focused on the Pacific Island nation of Palau.
• IPCC’s 2018 report stated that at 2ºC (3.6°F) or higher, 99% of coral reefs could vanish.
• A 2022 study in Nature Scientific Reports indicated potential resilience, suggesting certain corals can adapt to warmer conditions.
• National Geographic reported that some corals exhibit acclimatization to a warming environment.
• Resistance to higher temperatures would lead to a decrease in future bleaching.

What are Coral Reef?

Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems on the Earth. Coral reefs play an important role in marine ecosystems and support the habitats of flora and fauna in the sea. The vast diversity of animal and plant species that contributes to its system are increasingly at risk due to climate change.

• Coral reefs are vital to the Earth’s ecosystem.

• They cover less than 1% of the ocean floor.

How coral reefs are adapting to warmer oceans?

• Severe heatwaves remove sensitive species, leaving hardier ones in control.
• This shift can harm vital roles like reef growth and seafood habitat.
• Another process is genetic adaptation, influencing thermal tolerance.
• Thermal tolerance relies on numerous genes, but many corals have only a subset.
• Individual acclimatization is another factor; even one coral’s survival in heat stress can alter within its lifespan.

What does the future hold?

• Coral reefs’ fate tied to urgent carbon emissions reduction.
• Increased thermal tolerance might prevent or delay bleaching on certain reefs.
• Some reefs exhibit innate climate resilience.
• Time gained from this resilience is valuable, but urgent climate action remains pivotal.
• As oceans warm, fewer reefs will avoid bleaching conditions.
• Conservation, restoration, and selective breeding hold promise.
• These efforts can aid coral persistence, but cutting carbon emissions is the definitive solution.

Conclusion:

• Coral reefs host an immense variety of bacteria, far surpassing previous estimations of microbial diversity.
• This hidden biodiversity plays a crucial role in the health and resilience of coral reef ecosystems.

Increasing Climate Resistance of Pacific coral reefs, Increasing Climate Resistance of Pacific coral reefs

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