In many parts of the world, coral reefs are declining fast due to pollution, warming seas, disease and storms. Tourists travel the world to enjoy remaining coral reefs.
Some coral species are better at adapting to climate change than others, a new study has revealed.
The research, which was published in the journal Science on Thursday, was conducted by a group of international researchers in Australia.
Researchers tested several samples of coral reefs from several locations with hot and cold climates from across Australia.
When they cross-bred the coral reefs, they found that those with parents that came from warmer waters were 10 times more likely to stay alive under heat pressure, as compared to their counterparts from cooler waters.
This, according to the scientists, suggested that the animals had some natural resilience in their genetic makeup.
Some of the coral reefs observed by the researchers showed that they may be also able to pass their DNA onto the next generation.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Some of the coral reefs observed by the researchers showed that they may be also able to pass their DNA onto the next generation.
- The research, which was published in the journal Science on Thursday, was conducted by a group of international researchers in Australia.
- When they cross-bred the coral reefs, they found that those with parents that came from warmer waters were 10 times more likely to stay alive under heat pressure, as compared to their counterparts from cooler waters.
