First Success in Heat-Tolerant Coral Breeding

A groundbreaking study led by Newcastle University's Coralassist Lab has demonstrated that selective breeding can enhance the heat tolerance of corals within a single generation.

This research marks the first successful attempt to breed adult corals specifically for increased resilience to elevated temperatures. While the findings indicate a modest improvement in heat tolerance, the enhancement may not suffice against the more severe marine heatwaves anticipated due to climate change.

Consequently, the researchers emphasize the necessity for rapid global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to provide corals with a viable chance to adapt.

The study, a collaborative effort with institutions including the University of Victoria, Horniman Museum and Gardens, Palau International Coral Reef Center, University of Derby, and the University of Exeter, was published in Nature Communications. It stems from a five-year project initiated by Dr. James Guest with funding from the European Research Council.