Unprecedented ocean temperatures are triggering mass coral bleaching events across the world. This year, the world's third largest barrier reef, in Florida, is already being hit hard.
Is this evidence that coral communities are adapting to hotter temperatures? We set out to test whether thermal tolerance has likely increased for at least those reefs in Palau, and if so, how quickly.
Researcher conducting a 3D mapping survey of a coral reef in Palau. Credit: Eveline van der Steeg, Author providedMore work is needed to pin down exactly what has happened, but there are various mechanisms that could explain this.unique evolutionary history and life strategy Severe heat waves can weed out the sensitive species, leaving the coral reef dominated by the tougher ones, which can compromise important ecological functions likeThe second mechanism is genetic adaptation. Thermal tolerance is a complex trait that is likely, but most corals only have some of these. Following Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest, natural selection can choose the winners under climate change.
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