Lab-Bred Corals Show Resilience Amid Caribbean Heatwave
Young corals created through assisted reproduction techniques demonstrated increased resistance to bleaching during the 2023 heatwave, offering hope for reef restoration.
- A study published in PLoS ONE found that young corals bred through SECORE International's Coral Seeding approach remained healthy during the 2023 Caribbean heatwave, unlike most wild corals.
- The study involved data collection from six coral species across 15 reef sites in five Caribbean nations, confirming the increased thermal tolerance of lab-bred corals.
- Researchers believe the higher resilience may be due to the genetic diversity introduced through assisted reproduction and the ability of young corals to acquire heat-tolerant symbiotic algae.
- Traditional coral restoration methods like fragmentation produce clones, whereas the IVF-like breeding method used by SECORE increases genetic diversity, potentially enhancing adaptation to climate change.
- While the findings are promising, scientists stress that coral restoration alone is insufficient; broader efforts to combat global warming are essential to secure the future of coral reefs.
The Guardian 
Miami Herald 