Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Science

Saving coral reefs will require ruthless selection over generations to beat future heat waves

Assisted evolution could help corals survive future heat waves, but careful trait choice and strong repeated selection will be needed for it to be effective. As global temperatures rise, marine heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe, driving coral bleaching and mortality. While some coral...

Saving coral reefs will require ruthless selection over generations to beat future heat waves
Image: Phys.org
Assisted evolution could help corals survive future heat waves, but careful trait choice and strong repeated selection will be needed for it to be effective. As global temperatures rise, marine heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe, driving coral bleaching and mortality. While some coral populations are already showing signs of natural adaptation, researchers warn that these changes are unlikely to keep pace with future warming.

Originally published at Phys.org

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