Coral reef science must adapt for a chance to outpace climate change, say experts
Why it matters: Without rapid changes in research, coral reefs face irreversible damage from marine heat waves within the next few years.
- Dr. Adriana Humanes (Newcastle University) and Dr. Juan Ortiz (Australian Institute of Marine Science - AIMS) led a study calling for a significant acceleration in coral assisted evolution research.
- Assisted evolution methods aim to boost corals' thermal tolerance, but the current pace of research is likely to be outpaced by climate change, according to the experts.
- Critical knowledge gaps around coral heat tolerance biology are hindering progress, as highlighted by Dr. Ortiz.
- Nine research priorities are outlined in the Nature Reviews Biodiversity paper to fast-track progress in assisted evolution.
- Three critical catalysts are identified for successful implementation: scaling up field-based research, securing long-term funding, and fostering collaborative, multidisciplinary research across coral species and life stages, as emphasized by Dr. James Guest.
Experts warn that current coral reef science, particularly in assisted evolution research, is too slow to combat rapidly warming oceans, necessitating a major acceleration in research and development. A new study led by Dr. Adriana Humanes and Dr. Juan Ortiz outlines nine research priorities and three critical catalysts, including scaled-up field research and long-term funding, to bridge knowledge gaps and develop effective solutions before it's too late for coral reefs.
