New research from Southern Cross University has uncovered previously undocumented variation in coral heat tolerance on the Great Barrier Reef, offering hope that corals may have the genetic potential to adapt to rising ocean temperatures. Led by PhD candidate Melissa Naugle from Southern Cross University, in collaboration with teams from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), the University of Queensland, and the Research Institute for Development in New Caledonia, the study is part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP). Naugle noted that heat-tolerant corals were found on nearly all the reefs studied, suggesting that the genetic diversity of these corals could play a key role in restoration efforts.
This research is particularly timely, given the ongoing global mass bleaching event and the unprecedented high sea temperatures on the Great Barrier Reef. Environmental heat protection is important for corals to adapt to climate change, and the findings could support restoration projects aimed at protecting and restoring coral populations. Co-author Dr. Line Bay, senior research scientist at AIMS, emphasized the importance of understanding individual differences among corals, which can guide natural selection and breed stronger generations. Dr. Cédric Robillat, Director General of the RRAP, emphasized the potential of research to lead large-scale restoration efforts targeting tropical coral reefs. The study also looked at environmental factors that influence thermal exposure, such as thermal history and nutrient concentration. However, there is considerable variation in heat tolerance due to genetic differences between corals. The researchers plan to analyze the DNA sequence data to identify genes related to heat tolerance, which could aid selective breeding programs aimed at breeding better in warmer waters. . Although conservation efforts such as artificial breeding can increase coral populations, scientists say it is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to ensure reef survival.