News Climate

Heat waves are roasting reefs, but some corals may be resilient

New research examines damage from heat and gives projections for the future

Acropora millepora

IN HOT WATER  Staghorn coral (Acropora millepora) may be able to last 100­ to 250 years thanks to its ability to adapt to warming waters. Here, a healthy staghorn grows off Magnetic Island in the central part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

M. Matz et al/PLOS Genetics 2018

By Dan Garisto

- More than 2 years ago

It’s no secret that warming ocean waters have devastated many of the world’s coral reefs.