In the eastern tropical Pacific, coral reefs faced devastating bleaching events due to El Nino-induced heat waves. However, researchers are observing potential resilience and adaptation in certain coral species like Pocillopora post the 2015-2016 heat wave. These corals are reportedly switching to heat-resistant algae, using specialized body hairs to expel stress toxins, and altering their metabolism to cope with rising temperatures. Such phenomena offer hope for the future of these vital ecosystems, sparking interest in leveraging these natural adaptations for conservation efforts.
When examining coral reefs post the 2015-2016 heat wave, we discovered Pocillopora showing signs of resilience, suggesting an ability to recover from bleaching events.
Many adult corals, unable to migrate, exhibit remarkable resilience and adapt by switching their algal partners or modifying metabolic responses to withstand heat.
Collection
[
|
...
]