Scientists find IVF coral better survives marine heatwaves than older coral colonies
Young corals bred with in vitro fertilization and planted on reefs in the Caribbean have shown a remarkable ability to survive record heatwaves, outperforming older, natural coral colonies.
Lisa S Gardiner reports for The Guardian
In short:
- A study found that 90% of IVF-bred corals remained healthy during a Caribbean heatwave, while only 25% of older corals survived.
- IVF coral uses increased genetic diversity to adapt better to rising temperatures compared to traditional cloning methods.
- Researchers emphasize the need for climate action, as frequent heatwaves threaten long-term coral survival.
Key quote:
“We need to address the underlying causes of global climate change. But I think it’s important that we’re supplementing coral populations in the meantime, because it might be able to buy us some time.”
— Dr. Margaret Miller, research director, Secore International
Why this matters:
Coral reefs support marine biodiversity and protect coastlines. As climate change intensifies, techniques like coral IVF may help sustain these ecosystems in the short term, but global warming must be addressed for long-term success.
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